THE EXTRAORDINARY ISSUE
From a former Blue Angel to athletes, actors, artists and more, Lake and Sumter produce extra-special talent. OCT '19
VILLAGE EDITION
June Lew:
Going to new heights to help make medical practices better AL SO
THE IMPOSSIBLE DREAM Crave Bakehouse in Eustis creates healthy doughnuts—honest.
OUTSTANDING STUDENT
Leesburg High construction class grad Ashley Rosenmund is handy around the house.
LEESBURG, CITY OF LIGHTS
Paris is the theme of the annual Fashion Designers Showcase and Modeling Competition.
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CONTENTS 1 of 2
FEATURES
036
E TR A ORDINARY They’re
Our annual ExtraOrdinary issue is extra-special, with profiles of remarkable homegrown talent from athletes to actors to (Blue) Angels, as well as unique places and events that make living in Lake and Sumter counties an experience beyond the mere ordinary. STORIES: JAMES COMBS, THERESA CAMPBELL, LEIGH NEELY, CHRIS GERBASI
055 SPECIAL ADVERTISIN G SEC TIO N
Ask the Expert These experts hold the key to unlocking your home’s greatest potential. Find out what they have to say about making yours extraordinary.
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We Listen. We Care. We Educate.
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OCT‘19 V.15
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CONTENTS 2 of 2
DEPARTMENTS
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THE HIT LIST 022 PERSON OF INTEREST 024 OUTSTANDING STUDENT 026 IN THE VILLAGES 028 THIS 'N' THAT 030
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THE TO-DO LIST 078 LOCAL TALENT 082 NEAR & FAR 084 SOCIAL SPOTLIGHT 088 HI, SOCIETY! 092
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IN THE KITCHEN 110 FORK ON THE ROAD 114 SALUTÉ 120 DINING GUIDE 122
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OCT '19
L AKE & SUMTER
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From a former Blue Angel to athletes, actors, artists and more, Lake and Sumter produce extra-special talent. AL SO
THE IMPOSSIBLE DREAM
Crave Bakehouse in Eustis creates healthy doughnuts—honest.
OUTSTANDING STUDENT
Leesburg High construction class grad Ashley Rosenmund is handy around the house.
LEESBURG, CITY OF LIGHTS
Paris is the theme of the annual Fashion Designers Showcase and Modeling Competition.
Lake & Sumter Style Photo Illustration: Jason Fugate THE EXTRAORDINARY ISSUE
From a former Blue Angel to athletes, actors, artists and more, Lake and Sumter produce extra-special talent. OCT '19
VILLAGE EDITION
June Lew:
Going to new heights to help make medical practices better AL SO
THE IMPOSSIBLE DREAM Crave Bakehouse in Eustis creates healthy doughnuts—honest.
OUTSTANDING STUDENT
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L A K E A N D S U M T E R S T Y L E .C O M • O C T ' 1 9
Leesburg High construction class grad Ashley Rosenmund is handy around the house.
LEESBURG, CITY OF LIGHTS
Paris is the theme of the annual Fashion Designers Showcase and Modeling Competition.
Village Edition Style Photo: Fred Lopez
10 & 1 .29 A 3.9 cr 5 A es cre s
LOTS 47 & 48
2.9 Ac res Sharon Bassett
Our
LOT 70
Land & Water
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Feature Listings
LOT 71
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FROM THE PUBLISHER
The issue with something extra Lake and Sumter produce talent in all walks of life.
e live in extraordinary times. We also live in the extraordinary area of Lake and Sumter counties. Our ninth annual ExtraOrdinary issue highlights some remarkable homegrown talent: athletes such as Keanu Neal, a pro football player with the Atlanta Falcons, and Wyatt Rector, a Leesburg High football legend now on the roster at Florida State University; artist Donna S. Dewberry, whose one-stroke painting technique has gone international; and aspiring performers like actor Trent Van Alstine and “The Voice” singers Mari Jones and Kayslin Victoria. Away from the spotlight, extraordinary locals can be found beneath the sea with diving physician Dr. Richard FontanezAldea; in the air with Donnie L. Cochran, a former Blue Angel in the Navy; and around the corner with Pat Jenkins, a 94-yearold volunteer at Hospice Hope Chest in Mount Dora. The section also details Grand Oaks Resort, an extraordinary place in horse country, and some under-the-radar exceptional events like Hearts for Our Hospital Big Bike Weekend in The Villages and Boots, Buckles and Badges, a gala fundraiser hosted by Lake County Sheriff Peyton Grinnell. In addition, we present our usual array of profiles on people you know, or need to know, in the community, local events, a standout travel feature on an alpine village in Georgia, of all places, and mouth-watering stories about a sub shop that serves a courthouse clientele—the verdict is in: the subs are delicious—and a bakery that fulfills the impossible dream: healthy doughnuts. Enjoy,
Have a story to tell? We’re always looking for stories about people who live and work in our area. Send suggestions to chris@akersmediagroup.com
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Kendra Akers Doug Akers
OWNER/PUBLISHER kendra@akersmediagroup.com
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PHOTOGRAPHY
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EDITORIAL
Jason Fugate Chris Gerbasi
CREATIVE DIRECTOR jason@akersmediagroup.com
MANAGING EDITOR chris@akersmediagroup.com
Michael Gaulin James Combs
SENIOR DESIGNER michael@akersmediagroup.com
STAFF WRITER james@akersmediagroup.com
Volkan Ulgen Theresa Campbell
ART DIRECTOR volkan@akersmediagroup.com
THE EXTRAORDINARY ISSUE
Megan Mericle
GRAPHIC DESIGNER megan@akersmediagroup.com
Victoria Schlabig
DIGITAL COPY WRITER victoria@akersmediagroup.com
Nicole Hamel Joe Angione Mary Ann DeSantis
STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER nicole@akersmediagroup.com
M A RK ETIN G
Tim McRae
VICE PRESIDENT, SALES tim@akersmediagroup.com
Melanie Melvin
DIRECTOR OF MARKETING Melanie@akersmediagroup.com
Shaena Long Dillon True
SALES ASSISTANT shaena@akersmediagroup.com
FACING DEPRESSION
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Chamber director offers insight OCT '19
LAKE COUNTY IS HOPPIN’ Local beer that’s truly local. Fresh hops, fruit and other ingredients grown in Lake County.
Going to new heights to help make medical practices better AL SO
Anthony Rao CON TRIBUTIN G WRITER S
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KID STUFF
Adita Lang sets the table
June Lew:
STAFF WRITER leigh@akersmediagroup.com
STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER anthony@akersmediagroup.com
SALES
SCREEN SAVERS
Tips to reduce eye strain OCT '19
VILLAGE EDITION
TO LA KE COUNTY
Douglas Tyler Leigh Neely
WEB DESIGNER/ PHOTOGRAPHER douglas@akersmediagroup.com
From a former Blue Angel to athletes, actors, artists and more, Lake and Sumter produce extra-special talent.
OCT '19
L AKE & SUMTER
STAFF WRITER theresa@akersmediagroup.com
ADVERTISING EXECUTIVE dillon@akersmediagroup.com
THE IMPOSSIBLE DREAM Crave Bakehouse in Eustis creates healthy doughnuts—honest.
From a former Blue Angel to athletes, actors, artists and more, Lake and Sumter produce extra-special talent. AL SO
THE IMPOSSIBLE DREAM
Crave Bakehouse in Eustis creates healthy doughnuts—honest.
OUTSTANDING STUDENT
LEESBURG, CITY OF LIGHTS
+
Leesburg High construction class grad Ashley Rosenmund is handy around the house.
OUTSTANDING STUDENT
Leesburg High construction class grad Ashley Rosenmund is handy around the house. Paris is the theme of the annual Fashion Designers Showcase and Modeling Competition.
LEESBURG, CITY OF LIGHTS
Paris is the theme of the annual Fashion Designers Showcase and Modeling Competition.
Preventive screening for a variety of illnesses often can save lives
FRESH TODAY!
WHERE THE LOCALS GO
BIRDWATCHERS UNITE
Enjoy food picked fresh at a farm café, pick your own fruit, or take a hayride to relish agritourism.
Find the best places for outdoor fun, downtown adventure, and lazy life on the water.
Lake County is home to hundreds of bird species, including the native scrub-jay.
Hot off the press! The latest editions of Lake & Sumter Style, Village Edition Style, Healthy Living, and Welcome to Lake County.
Get yours Subscriptions: Order a subscription of your favorite magazine to be delivered directly
to your home for just $84. Each subscription includes 12 consecutive issues of Lake & Sumter Style, Village Edition Style, or Healthy Living. Choose 2 or more magazines for $108 per year. To order, call 352.787.4112 or mail us at: Subscriptions at Akers Media, P.O. Box 490088, Leesburg, FL 34749. Change of Address: If you are a seasonal resident or have moved, send your address change request to general@akersmediagroup.com or mail us at: Subscriptions at Akers Media, P.O. Box 490088, Leesburg, FL 34749. Back Issues: Order a single issue by mail for $7, or 2 or more single issues for $9. To pick up a back issue from our office, please call 24 hours in advance.
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Winner of 200+ Awards for Excellence
Lake & Sumter Style. Published monthly by Akers Media, 108 South Fifth Street, Leesburg, FL 34748. All editorial contents copyright 2019 by Akers Media. All rights reserved. Lake & Sumter Style is a registered trademark of Akers Media. Nothing may be reprinted in whole or in part without written permission from the publisher. For back issues or billing information, call 352.787.4112. Return postage must accompany all unsolicited manuscripts and artwork if they are to be returned. Manuscripts are welcomed, but no responsibility can be assumed for unsolicited materials. “Paid Promotional Feature” denotes a paid advertising feature. Publisher is not responsible for claims or contents of advertisements. The ideas and opinions contained in this publication do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of Akers Media.
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BREAKING
H E A LT H N E W S
FHV Health makes history again with the first implantation of right heart mechanical support with Impella RP® David C. Lew, MD, visionary founder of FHV Health in Central Florida, saved a life and made history all in the same day. It all began with Steve Grover, who initially presented as a heart attack patient. Treatment began quickly. Once the team halted the attack, they implanted a leftsided mechanical support device (Impella CP®) to provide extra support to Mr. Grover’s struggling heart. But this was no ordinary heart attack. PAID PROMOTIONAL FEATURE
After several days of support, Steve Grover did not improve. In fact, he got worse, developing signs of liver and kidney shock. Dr. Lew knew something was terribly wrong and called for more tests, specifically a pulmonary artery pulsatility index (PAPi). The shockingly low measurements it returned convinced Dr. Lew that—though these cases are uncommon—the problem was due to combined
left and right-sided shock. Immediately, Dr. Lew called ABIOMED, the developers of the device, and requested an Impella RP®. This relatively new piece of technology developed specifically for right heart shock had only been FDA-approved since late 2017. As with most new medical devices, the Impella RP® had only slowly become available for use in the real world. This
would be the first time the device had ever been seen inside a Lake County hospital room! Dr. Lew, however, has built his reputation on firsts. He was the first to perform cardiac catheterizations in Lake County. He was the first to provide primary cardiac angioplasty, and first to implant carotid artery stenting with embolic protection to prevent or alleviate strokes. Today, nearly twenty-five years
352.728.6808 / fhvhealth.com FORMERLY KNOWN AS FLORIDA HEART & VASCULAR MULTI-SPECIALTY GROUP
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later, Dr. Lew’s dreams of bringing cardiac catheterization to his community have proved themselves and his procedures have become standard practice. That first year he performed more than 800 cardiac catheterizations. He’s since performed nearly 30,000 of them, an astounding figure matched only by practices with multiple cardiologists on staff. Under his guidance, FHV Health has built a reputation for medical excellence and for going against conventional wisdom when that wisdom appears wrong. Which brings us back to Steve Grover’s heart attack. Dr. Lew implanted the new device—the Impella RP®—and incredibly, Mr. Grover’s heart function (ejection fraction) climbed from a critical 10 percent to 30 percent. Even more dramatic, the man’s nearly 100 percent fatal prognosis without intervention turned a corner. Now, still a relatively young man, he has a fighting chance at life. So many factors played a role in the nearmiraculous outcome of this
revolutionary case. Certainly, the prompt initial treatment, the medical facilities at the hospital and, of course, the new technology. While Dr. Lew understates his and FHV Health’s contributions to the patient’s outcome, the fact remains that right-sided shock is a rare and difficult diagnosis to make. After his nearly thirty years and more than 30,000 cases, it is evident that Dr. Lew’s perspective and experience led to prompt diagnosis and treatment resulting in the best possible outcome for a human life.
STEVE GROVER PATIENT
DAVID C. LEW MD, FACC, FSCAI CHAIRMAN
GENERAL PLUMBING :: WATER HEATER INSTALLATION :: WATER SOFTENER INSTALLATION
SUPERIOR SERVICE FOR 97 YEARS Since buying Dunstan Plumbing Co. in 1999, John Snyder has continued the company’s tradition of success that now has stretched to 97 years. John thanks the residents of Lake and Sumter counties for voting Dunstan the No. 1 plumber for five years in a row. As plumbing has changed over 97 years, Dunstan has evolved into a modern, full-service company with state-of-the-art technology for residential and commercial needs. But the real key to longevity is long-term employees. John has worked with some Dunstan colleagues for 20, 30, even 40 years, so they’re not just “employees” to him—they’re family members who are as tight as a cinch clamp on a pipe fitting. “You can’t survive in business for 97 years without that,” John says. “They’re family. They’re a group. They’re part of a team.”
John Snyder
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THE HIT LIST News and notes from Lake and Sumter counties.
PERSON OF INTEREST Pat Caracciolo is a doggone good groomer.
OUTSTANDING STUDENT Ashley Rosenmund... Hands on in carpentry.
IN THE VILLAGES New 3D printing technologies may save lives.
THIS N' THAT Halloween is a reminder of out-ofbody experiences.
THE HIT LIST
BUILDING BETTER FUTURES: Lake County Schools recently was recognized by District Administration magazine as one of 34 “Districts of Distinction.” The national recognition program honors school districts that are “leading the way with new ideas that solve challenges,” according to a press release. The school district recently spent $866,000 revitalizing the Leesburg High School Construction Academy, adding new technology and equipment and introducing college preparatory and industry certification classes.
FIGHT FIRE WITH FIRE: Lake County Fire Rescue received a $34,000 grant for protective gear so members of its rescue task force can respond to an active attacker situation. The gear includes ballistic vests, ballistic helmets, bleeding control bags, medical gear, tourniquets, and rapid extraction patient movers.
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IF IT’S OCTOBER, WEAR PINK: Pink for a Purpose is hosting a breast cancer awareness fundraiser to benefit “Libby’s Legacy” at 5:30pm Wednesday, Oct. 9, at Sip Restaurant Jazz and Wine Bar, 707 W. Main St., Leesburg. Tickets are $25 and can be purchased by calling Emily at 352.801.7935 or Stephanie at 352.360.0702. Tickets are not available at the restaurant.
HEALTH IS ON THE WAY: A Lifestyle Meal delivers fresh, flavorful, and nutritionally balanced meals to customers’ doorsteps in South Lake County. Visit alifestylemeal.com, enter your ZIP code, and choose meals and a delivery time. The website provides nutritional information for 30 choices, including beef Bourguignon, chicken sausage gumbo, buttermilk pancakes, and lasagne di Romagna.
5 ALUMNI EVENT: Don’t miss the Lake County Constitutional Forum hosted by Leadership Lake County alumni. Those attending will receive an update from Lake’s constitutional officers, including Carey Baker, property appraiser; Gary Cooney, clerk of the circuit court and comptroller; Alan Hays, supervisor of elections; David W. Jordan, tax collector; and Sheriff Peyton C. Grinnell. The event is scheduled from 8am-noon Thursday, Oct. 10. Cost is $20 per person. Join other alumni at Mission Inn Resort and Club, El Moro Room, 10400 County Road 48, Howey-in-theHills. A continental breakfast will be served.
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TRICK OR TREAT! Come dressed as your favorite Halloween character from 3-6pm Oct. 26 at the Eustis Fall Festival, a family-friendly event featuring a costume contest, pony rides, pumpkin painting, face painting, bounce houses, games, vendors, food, and more. The hottest Halloween costumes for 2019 are based on popular movies and pop culture events, including NASA astronauts, sloths, and characters from “The Avengers” and “Game of Thrones,” according to halloweencostumes.com.
JEWELRY-MAKING FUN: Physical therapist Cathy Hunter serves clients in The Villages and she has found making jewelry to be a relaxing, enjoyable and therapeutic activity. Cathy is available for group parties for those who wish to make jewelry for themselves or as gifts for others. She can be reached at therapyn@yahoo.com.
SMOKING IS ALLOWED: If you can’t find a place to smoke in this hypersensitive world, try the Cigar Lounge, 25327 U.S. Highway 27, Suite 201A, near The Plantation at Leesburg. The lounge features a large humidor filled with fine cigars, a bar with a selection of craft beers, occasional live music, and twice-monthly antique car shows. 352.901.6952.
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PERSON OF INTEREST
PEO PLE
Pat Caracciolo Dog groomer and civic leader.
VITAL STATS
INTERVIEWER: CHRIS GERBASI
• Born in Hudson, Ohio; lives in Clermont. • Owner of Pat the Dog Pet Resort in Groveland. • Vice chairman of South Lake Chamber of Commerce board. • Wife, Toni; daughters, Chelsea and Jana; pets, three Staffordshire bull terriers, two donkeys.
Describe Project Scholars, which you chair: We have a
What was it like working for 16 years at SeaWorld? As a
community event every March in Clermont called Pig on the Pond. March 2020 will be 22 years this event has been held. Each year, this event raises money to fund four $10,000 scholarships for graduating seniors in South Lake County. It is truly an honor to serve as chair and see firsthand the community involvement as well as the scholarship recipients making sure to “pay it forward.”
professional animal behaviorist at SeaWorld and Discovery Cove, I had the privilege to work with nearly every animal from eagles, sea lions, dolphins, walruses, polar bears, and, of course, killer whales or orcas. I will always treasure my years at SeaWorld since it is where I became the animal trainer and husbandry expert I am today.
Know a person of interest? Tell us!
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≈ PHOTO: DOUGLAS TYLER
Any scary incidents? I never felt in danger with the animals I worked with because we had processes and procedures to prevent incidents as much as possible. You need to respect any animal and build a positive relationship with them. Probably more funny than scary,
however, when a walrus has to sneeze, and you don’t get out of the way of the projectile “sneeze stuff,” you will regret not moving.
Describe your business: Pat the Dog Pet Resort is a full-service dog boarding, grooming, training, day-care pet resort. We specialize in the right kennel for the right-size dog. It was my dream to own a pet resort for as long as I can remember. We completely remodeled the facility over the first two years we owned it. We are still upgrading constantly to ensure our pet customers the utmost quality, comfort, and care.
Pet peeve? When people don’t pay attention to their driving or are just rude. It’s too dangerous out there. If only there was a law allowing dogs to drive.
Email your recommendation to chris@akersmediagroup.com
Fr h Seafood IS JUST A SHORT
R I D E A W AY !
B R U N C H S E R V E D S AT U R D AY & S U N D AY 1 0 : 0 0 A M - 2 : 3 0 P M
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2 7 38 B ROW N WOOD B LVD. TH E VILLAGES , FL 3 2163 l (3 52) 57 1-53 44 l WWW.BLU EFI NG R I L L B AR .CO M MON - TH UR S 11 AM - 9P M l FRI 11AM-10 PM l SAT 10 AM - 10 PM l S U N 10 AM - 9PM
OUTSTANDING STUDENT
PEO PLE
Ashley Rosenmund First female student to earn industry certification in carpentry at Leesburg High School. INTERVIEWER: THERESA CAMPBELL
≈ PHOTO: DOUGLAS TYLER
The thrill of winning the carpentry award: I didn’t think I would get it because I started in carpentry in my senior year.
Advice to other girls about construction classes: The classes are really fun, and it teaches you that you can do projects by yourself.
What people don’t know about me: Most people are surprised about the carpentry award and they’re saying, “I am so proud of you!”
Favorite activity: Singing. VITAL STATS
• Parents: Christopher and Stephanie Rosenmund, of Fruitland Park. • Only woman in her construction classes. • Graduated in May from Leesburg High School. • Plans to attend Lake-Sumter State College for nursing studies.
My motto: Everything will be fine, you just got to give it time.
Future goals and dreams: To work in the nursing field.
Favorite possession: My silver truck.
Best advice I’ve been given: Stay strong. Favorite high school subjects: Math and construction classes.
What was it like with all male peers in construction classes? There was some teasing. I just ignored it and kept doing what I was supposed to be doing.
Favorite carpentry projects: Making picnic
If I could trade places with someone for a day: I would trade places with (actress) Jennifer Aniston.
Favorite food: Steak, cooked medium-well.
tables, fence posts and building stairs for houses for Habitat for Humanity.
Pet peeve: When people don’t check to see if rumors are true.
My best learning style: Hands-on.
If I could have dinner with anyone living or dead, it would be: My paternal grandmother.
My hero/inspiration: My mom. She has pushed me to do things that I don’t think I can accomplish. She has faith in me, and she’s been the biggest influence in my life. Know an outstanding student? Fill us in!
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Sometimes me and my dad go to Legends restaurant in Fruitland Park and we do karaoke.
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Best day of my life: Graduation on May 17.
What makes me happy: Family, music and my four dogs.
Email your outstanding student recommendations to theresa@akersmediagroup.com
IN THE VILLAGES
CO MMENTARY
New health miracles The amazing 3D printing process helps humans in many ways and may save lives. STORY: JOE ANGIONE
hreedimensional printing first came on the manufacturing scene in the early 1980s as an expedient way to produce plastic items. The 3D printing process builds a threedimensional object from a computeraided design (CAD) model, usually by repeatedly adding material layer on top of layer. It’s sometimes called “additive manufacturing.” Through the years, the process was used to make a variety of tools, auto and airplane parts, and, for a time, simple “do-it-yourself” firearms, which alarmed law enforcement agencies that feared guns would be made without control and get into the hands of people who shouldn’t have them. This printing is being used now to develop new food items, squeezing them out layer by layer, such as chocolates,
crackers, pasta, and pizza. Recent 3D printing experiments have created plantbased meat substitutes mimicking meat texture and taste. Fashion designers are also experimenting with 3D printing of bikinis, dresses, and shoes for many sports uses. Today, 3D printing builds a wide range of industrial products and medical items, such as prosthetics and, most recently, models of bone structures and internal organs to aid physicians in planning various surgeries. For some time now, 3D-printed, personalized surgical instruments have been applied to areas of surgery including total joint replacement and facial reconstruction. Another excellent application of bio-3D printing is in dentistry, where lost teeth and damaged gums can be replaced with perfectly matched real teeth and gum tissue. The most exciting application of the 3D production process is in the area of new human health benefits. Leaping
Joe Angione loves to share stories of his adventures.
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forward from creating anatomical models of body structures and organs are applications in generating skin replacement tissue to assist burn and cancer victims in their recovery. However, creating new skin tissue may have to be done “off world” in facilities like the International Space Station because, when printing delicate layers of living cells, the structures tend to collapse in Earth’s gravity. When this problem is solved, the door is wide open to 3D printing of organ replacements, particularly ones that are personalized, patient-matched implants, including extensive vascular systems, designed to fit one unique individual. Imagine! Your heart begins to seriously fail, your surgeon makes detailed measurements, and soon you get delivery of a 3D-printed, brand-new functioning heart. It would be a perfect match for the one you were born with...and no waiting on a long list for a heart donor.
If you want to contact him, email joeangione@aol.com.
THIS 'N' THAT
CO MMENTARY
Off the top of my head Halloween is a reminder of out-ofbody experiences. STORY: CHRIS GERBASI
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≈ ILLUSTRATION: MEGAN MERICLE
from my brothers. I recall a combo of cowboy chaps, a cowboy hatever happened to Ted hat from a steakhouse, and a cowhide vest from a club that Williams’ head? apparently still exists despite possible political incorrectness: Remember that head-scratcher the Indian Guides. That may be a false memory, however. Only back in 2002? After the baseball hall-oftherapy will unlock the truth. fame slugger died, his son had Ted’s head One of my favorites was a costume with a plastic mask that cryonically frozen, ironically in a lab in the had the odd juxtaposition of a Frankenstein face in an astronaut hot desert of Arizona. Presumably, the son helmet. You could blow into a mouthpiece that was supposed to hoped that one day Ted’s head could be thawed, reanimated, make a scary “oooohhhh” sound but actually sounded more like and returned to the field as the Boston Red Sox version of the a kazoo. I’ve watched “Frankenstein” movies countless times, Mr. Met mascot. Or perhaps Ted’s head could be placed on top but I’ve never spotted him terrifying the villagers with a kazoo. of a costumed lackey and he could race against the hot dog, As for the astronaut helmet, maybe I missed a film titled, “The bratwurst, and sausage mascots in between innings. Three Stooges and Frankenstein Go to Outer Space.” Thoughts about disembodied heads are floating around this During the rest of the year, every day at home was a little month as writers across the country are visited by ghosts of like Halloween. The kids usually were dressed weird anyway Halloween past and warned about the journalistic cliché of because of Mom’s style sense, but mostly it was because the writing a holiday column. They usually are scary bad. But I house was filled with candy. My dad worked as a sales manager have the fearlessness, and the mindlessness, of a zombie, so for 30 years at Nestlé, so candy bars, Quik, cocoa, and tollhouse here’s a grab bag of “fun size” bonbons and bon mots—no squares were staples. I devoured pennies, gum, or dental floss. $100,000 bars, Triple Deckers Halloween used to be a really (milk, dark, and white chocolate), nice holiday for little kids. Do Choco’ Lite bars, and, of course, they still roam the streets like the classic big seller that put me packs of tiny plunderers? I through college, the Crunch bar. wouldn’t know; I keep my house Naturally, the treats made lights off and my doors locked. I’VE WATCHED “FRANKENSTEIN” our house a popular Halloween The thought of being around MOVIES COUNTLESS TIMES, attraction, even though we children anytime is frightening. never decorated with more than The thought of being around BUT I’VE NEVER SPOTTED HIM an old cardboard witch on the adults on Halloween is horrifying. TERRIFYING THE VILLAGERS front door and one pumpkin Somewhere along the line, WITH A KAZOO. on the porch. Jack-o’-lantern adults misappropriated the night “heads” always reminded me and turned it into an excuse of imagery like the headless for wearing skimpy costumes, horseman in “The Legend of over-imbibing, and debauching Sleepy Hollow.” their neighbors. Well, I guess Today, they remind me of the that’s not all bad. But if you must headless batsman. Knock on be a drunken idiot, please be a wood, Ted Williams’ head and his separated body are resting drunken idiot at home. No one goes to a party to see Biff and comfortably in the Arizona lab, according to a news report Doris from down the street twerking together as Abe Lincoln earlier this year. Still, it’s difficult to imagine a cryonics story and Wonder Woman while drinking margaritas from a 3-footending well. Let’s hope Ted doesn’t become a horror story one high glass and shouting, “How ya like me now?” day when a lab worker reveals that Ted’s head was “misplaced” I always liked Halloween as a kid. For many years, I went and wound up in his freezer at home between the Rocky Road out as Robin Hood, taking candy from the rich and giving it and the Totino’s Pizza Rolls. to myself. When I was very young, I wore hand-me-downs
Have you ever lost your head on Halloween? Comment on this article or share ideas for new stories by emailing chris@akersmediagroup.com.
CHRIS GERBASI
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OCTOB ER
PAID
P R OM OTION AL
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Michelle-O-Gram’s Legacy: “Thank you, you saved my life” Michelle Blauser Standridge didn’t miss an opportunity to remind others to get their mammograms, especially during the three years she herself was battling breast cancer. She knew that early detection could save lives. The cost of mammograms can be prohibitive, which is why the Michelle-O-Gram charity was established in her name following her untimely death at age 36. With the approval of Michelle’s husband and family, Joey Wiesbaum, RN founded the Dunnellon-based charity to carry Michelle’s message and reminder to everyone regardless
2019
of age, race, or finances. MichelleO-Gram negotiated pricing (clients are responsible for just a $25 co-pay) and has partnered with radiology centers and clinics like Advanced Imaging (Ocala), Inverness Medical Imaging (Inverness), and Medical Imaging and Therapeutics and Sand Lake Imaging (both in Lady Lake). Through their partnerships and outreach, Michelle-O-Gram helps mainly women, but also men, whose lack of insurance or funds would otherwise prevent them from getting mammograms or follow-up examinations. Many have insurance with deductibles too
high for them to meet; others have no insurance. The high costs of these tests can lead people to ignore a cancer that then spreads. Recognizing the importance of early detection and follow-up tests, Michelle-O-Gram provides access to screening and diagnostic mammograms, breast ultrasounds and MRIs, BRCA gene testing and counseling, breast biopsies, and referrals for procedures and other treatments. Michelle-O-Gram’s website, www. michelleogram.com, is a testament to their care. “One woman who felt alone, had no finances, turned to us and continues to call us to say, ‘thank you, you saved my life.’” You can find Michelle-O-Gram at Mobile Mammography (Dunnellon Woman’s Club, October 5) and next year at the Southeastern Youth Fair hog sale (February 29), Southeastern Pro Rodeo (March 28), and Ocala Bunco Babes Tournament (April 4). Michelle-OGram has no administrative costs, so every donated dollar goes back into the community assisting those who need it. RBOI is a proud sponsor of this compassionate, lifesaving charity.
Helping Each Other RBOI's support groups are available at no charge to participants both during and after treatment. Our Breast Cancer Educational Group meets in our Lecanto office. Our Women's Cancer Group meets in our Ocala and TimberRidge offices and is available to people with breast cancer and gynecological cancer. Call us for more information.
by the numbers
2009 The year Michelle-O-Gram was founded
almost
1500 Number of people served by Michelle-O-Gram
30 to 50 Age of most women who have used Michelle-O-Gram
6
Counties served by Michelle-O-Gram (Alachua, Citrus, Lake, Levy, Marion, and Sumter)
Life-Saving Screenings Are Within Reach The Florida Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program offers free or low-cost breast and cervical cancer screenings at many locations. Diagnostic funding is reserved for women screened through the program, which can help cover the costs of additional care. Services provided include: • Breast and cervical cancer screening exams (clinical breast exams, mammograms, and Pap tests). • Care coordination to all clients with abnormal exams. • Referral to the Florida Medicaid Program for eligibility determination, for women screened through the program and diagnosed with breast or cervical cancer. • Paid breast and cervical cancer treatment through Medicaid for eligible women screened through the program. To see if you qualify, call your County Health Department or the American Cancer Society National Hotline at 1-800-227-2345 for more information. You can also call the Florida Cancer Program at 850-245-4330.
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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E TR A ORDINARY
OUT OF THE ORDINARY, INTO THE
E TR A ORDINARY Style presents its annual profiles of the people, places and events that make Lake and Sumter something special.
P E O P L E
HISTORICAL J O U R N E Y Donnie L. Cochran was the first African American to serve as a Blue Angels pilot and commanding officer. STORY: THERESA CAMPBELL
Growing up the fifth of 12 children on a southwest Georgia farm, Donnie L. Cochran says he developed a strong work ethic as a young boy doing chores in the hot fields, yet there were many times when the sight of airplanes caught his eye. “I would look up and say, ‘Hey, that’s cool.’ Anything associated with aviation excited me,” says Donnie, of Clermont. “I knew I wanted to fly Navy fighter jets off the decks of aircraft carriers.” His wish came true. Donnie flew a fighter jet 880 times on and off carriers during his 24 years with the U.S. Navy, and the highlight of his naval career was performing with the Blue Angels in weekend air shows across the country. “Watching the Blue Angels perform generated a great sense of pride,” Donnie recalls of watching his first air show in 1978 in San Diego. “It inspired my deep desire to achieve a higher level of excellence and execution.” He made history in 1986 as the first AfricanAmerican pilot to fly with the Blue Angels, followed by becoming the first African—DONNIE L. COCHRAN American commanding officer/flight leader. “I was not seeking to be the first of anything. The drive for me was I wanted to be a part of a very special and unique organization,” he says. “I was with the team five years and there were times when I had overall challenges, but my overall experience Photo: Douglas Tyler
“WATCHING THE BLUE ANGELS PERFORM GENERATED A GREAT SENSE OF PRIDE.”
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E V E N T S
BOOTS, BUCKLES AND BADGES Sheriff Grinnell’s signature gala fundraiser returns for a second year. STORY: THERESA CAMPBELL
Lake County Sheriff Peyton Grinnell and his staff generated raves and raised nearly $118,000 for charities at an inaugural 2018 fundraiser, and they’re ready to do it again. The second annual Boots, Buckles and Badges Gala will be hosted from 5:30-9:30pm Friday, Nov. 8, at Lake Receptions, 4425 N. Highway 19A, Mount Dora. “It was just a great time,” the sheriff recalls of the 2018 benefit event. “The food, the entertainment, the silent and live auctions. Smiles and laughter filled the room.” The fundraiser was sold out with 500 people. It was noted as the largest plated dinner event at Lake Receptions, and was voted “Best of the Best”
gala/fundraiser in the August issue of Lake and Sumter Style magazine. “We exceeded our fundraising expectations by $18,000. Since it was our first event, we really did not know what to expect,” he says. “We commented on how awesome it would be to make $100,000. Our community showed up that evening with giving hearts.” Boots, Buckles and Badges Gala has become the sheriff ’s signature fundraiser for Lake County Sheriff ’s Charities Inc., a designated 501(c)(3) organization that he formed in 2017. He says the organization was created to support Lake County children, foster engagement between residents and the Lake County Sheriff ’s Office, and help sheriff ’s office employees, their children, and families in times of need.
“OUR GOAL IS TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE IN OUR COMMUNITY.” —SHERIFF PEYTON GRINNELL
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Sheriff Grinnell photo: Fred Lopez; Pat Jenkins photo: Anthony Rao
was exceptional. I was very fortunate to be selected twice to be on the team.” Donnie says he was also fortunate to receive a scholarship from Savannah State University’s Naval ROTC Unit to pay for college and pursue his dream of flying. After being commissioned in the Navy in 1976, he went to Pensacola for flight training. One of his most thrilling days was earning his wings of gold as a naval aviator. He retired as a Navy captain in 2000 and went on to work for UPS, where he flew cargo supplies, followed by a leadership position with Coca-Cola. Donnie shares his journey in his book, “Glad to Be Here: My Lessons Learned as a Blue Angels Flight Leader and Pilot.” He now enjoys speaking to groups and providing audiences with “inspirational takeaways that people can use in their personal and professional lives.”
P E O P L E
THEY CALL HER THE ROADRUNNER Even at 94, Pat Jenkins isn’t slowing down with her work at Hospice Hope Chest in Mount Dora. STORY: LEIGH NEELY
The charity has supported the following causes: The annual Fish ’n’ Fun Day hosted in February, when $30,000 was awarded to Florida Sheriff ’s Youth Ranches. The sheriff office’s awardwinning BBQ Fundraiser in April provided $3,200 for the March for Babies. More than 100 volunteers, sheriff ’s deputies, and other employees handed out free backpacks and school supplies to over 700 Lake County children in July as part of Project Kid Connect, an annual event. Through Shop with a Cop, planned for December, the sheriff ’s office will provide 100 children with Christmas gifts. “Our goal is to make a difference in our community,” Sheriff Grinnell says, adding his staff continues to plan November’s gala. “We have every reason to believe this year’s will be even bigger and better!” Those who wish to contribute with donations or sponsorship opportunities, or attend the gala, may call Kristy Marden at 352.343.9501 or Cheryl Wilson at 352.343.9454.
After moving to Mount Dora 30 years ago, Pat Jenkins spent some time deciding what to do after retiring. “I volunteered at the hospital as a Pink Lady and in my church,” Pat says. “I read about Women for Hospice and I joined.” Women for Hospice is a charitable organization dedicated to raising money for Cornerstone Hospice and Palliative Care in Lake and Sumter counties. Hospice Hope Chest is a retail outlet that the group uses to raise money throughout for Cornerstone. As Pat talks at Hospice Hope Chest, where she volunteers, an antique papiermâché old lady sitting in a chair in the corner watches over her with a smile. Fondly called “Miss Dora,” the item was a gift from another antique store owner who closed his business. It appears “she” knows all the comings and goings at the store.
“She’s very fragile, but we love having her here,” Pat says. “When we opened years ago, it was started as an antiquetype store, but we didn’t get as many antiques as we get now.” The store is packed, corner to corner now, with furniture (antique and contemporary), dishes, jewelry, and various collectibles and interesting objects. The door announcing customers rings almost constantly as many people enjoy browsing for treasures. “I love working here,” Pat says. “I work 40 hours over six days a week. I love every minute of it. They call me the ‘Roadrunner’ because I’m always in my car going back and forth.” Her colorful PT Cruiser has decals on both sides of the car pronouncing her “Roadrunner.” Chris Farrari is a regular customer who always knows the days when new
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P E O P L E
BEAUTIFUL VOICES Clermont singers Mari Jones and Kayslin Victoria shine on 16th season of ‘The Voice.’ STORY: THERESA CAMPBELL
Mari Jones was surprised to meet another Clermont singer, Kayslin Victoria, when both were in California performing on the reality television show “The Voice.” “I didn’t know Kayslin before the show. It was funny because we literally live five minutes away from each other, and when I found out there was another girl from Clermont, I thought it was crazy! We didn’t meet for a couple of months because there were so many of us at the beginning of everything,” says Mari, recalling that the 16th season of “The Voice” first aired Feb. 25 and ran until the May 21 finale. “It was really awesome and an incredible experience,” says Mari, 21, who finished as a top-13 contestant before being voted off during the May 7 episode. “It was a lot of hard work, a lot of effort and I learned a lot that I didn’t expect myself to learn, but it was awesome. I am so grateful that it happened and that I was able to experience it.” Mari’s initial audition was June 18, 2018, in Atlanta. “It was a really long process, and a lot of people do not realize how many auditions go into it. The whole journey started in Atlanta, but there were two more audition processes out in California that were done before any of this was ever aired,” Mari says. One of her favorite moments on “The Voice” was being in a group performance with her coach, Adam Levine. The other coaches on the show were Kelly Clarkson, Blake Shelton, and John Legend. “It was the last four of us that was on Team Adam, and it was a really fun moment for me. It wasn’t as much pressure because it wasn’t a performance that was judged, necessarily, so no one had to vote. It was just us having fun, and Kayslin Victoria it was so much fun to share the stage with
Photo provided by the City of Clermont
deliveries arrive and comes in to check them. Before he begins browsing, he always stops to chat with Pat. “She’s very friendly and knowledgeable,” Chris says. “She’s always uplifting when you come in. In fact, she’s a national treasure and also a Mount Dora treasure.” Pat say the most enjoyable part of her job is interacting with the volunteers and customers. She loves talking with people and helping them find what they want at the store. One of her quirks is wearing colorful glasses. “I don‘t need glasses. They’re just for fun,” she says. “One of our men who picks up furniture and delivers it to the store for Cornerstone (Hospice) brought me some red glasses with rhinestones. His wife had bought them and she thought they were just a little too flashy. I always wear them when I know when he is coming in.” Sandy Reneson is Pat’s assistant manager and she tries to do the heavy lifting. “I’m always trying to stop her when she begins moving heavy furniture, but I don’t always succeed,” Sandy says. Christmas items already are being put out, and Barbara Parker was setting up the display. “I actually work with hospice patients more than I do this,” she says. “But I enjoy helping out here, too.” Pat says the store is a hangout for many locals. “We’re like the neighborhood bar,” Pat says with a laugh. “People like to hang out here.” The Roadrunner is always on hand for some great conversation and her “secret” sales techniques, which she won’t share with anyone. Doubtless those techniques include her ready smile and willingness to work. Hospice Hope Chest, 315 N. Donnelly St. in Mount Dora, is open from 10am-4pm Monday-Saturday.
Photo provided by Mari Jones
“THE SHOW PROVIDED A REALLY EASY AND FUN PLATFORM FOR PEOPLE TO BE ABLE TO MEET THE PEOPLE THEY WANT TO MEET.”
someone that I looked up to for a long time,” Mari says. Since being home in Clermont, Mari has been touched by the support from family, friends and strangers. “It has been such an —MARI awesome thing to just receive all of that backing and support from these people,” she says. Mari says she keeps up on social media with Kayslin, who finished in the top 24 on the show. “I am always checking up and hearing what she is up to and stuff,” Mari says. “She’s such a sweetheart.” Residents of Clermont were excited to watch two local singers on “The Voice,” cheering them on via social media throughout the season. The city organized a fan video with the community for Mari at Suncreek Brewery when she made the top 13, says Kathryn Deen, Clermont communications director. Kayslin sang the national anthem at the Red, White & Boom Fourth of July celebration at Waterfront Park. The city also assisted NBC in scouting locations along downtown Clermont’s waterfront when television crews filmed there to preview the season. “They were a joy to watch and the city is very proud of them,” Kathryn says. “We look forward to continuing to watch Kayslin
Mari Jones
and Mari blossom in their vocal careers and we’ll be applauding their success along the way.” Mari says the best thing about being on “The Voice” was making contacts with other people in the music industry JONES and getting exposure. “I have wanted to do music for so long, but it is really hard to get started. The show provided a really easy and fun platform for people to be able to meet the people they want to meet,” she says. “I made so many good friends. We all learned from each other, so it was pretty awesome.” Mari recently released her first single “Chuck and Blair,” inspired by a fictional couple on the show “Gossip Girl.” “I felt it was a good topic to start writing about,” she says. “Chuck and Blair are a couple that are emotionally distraught in a messed-up relationship, and everyone wants them to be together. It’s something that is super-relatable for a lot of people, especially my age. It’s about a relationship that you stay in because you love them, but they also drive you crazy, and I put a fun spin to it.” Music fans can find “Chuck and Blair” at Spotify, Apple Music, YouTube and iTunes, and Mari plans to include the song on an upcoming six-track EP as well.
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BIG WHEELS Cyclists put their hearts into fundraiser for Villages hospital foundation. STORY: CHRIS GERBASI
Big Bike Weekend lives up to its name. The cycling fundraiser that benefits The Villages Regional Hospital Auxiliary Foundation gets bigger every year. Upwards of 400 bicyclists will wind through Sumter, Lake, and Marion counties during the Bicycle Challenge, which is part of the fifth annual Hearts for Our Hospital Big Bike Weekend Nov. 8-10.
The weekend comprises a Cycling Expo and Health Fair on Friday, the challenge on Saturday, and a free bicycle club ride on Sunday. Last year, the event raised about $65,000, pushing its four-year total to more than $191,000. Proceeds help the foundation purchase hospital equipment and fund scholarship programs for hospital team members and area high school students. Individual cyclists and teams raise money through pledges for the miles they travel or flat-rate donations. Registration fees and corporate sponsorships also go toward the cause. Race director Pat Gillis and his wife, Lori, the event coordinator, are members of the Sumter Landing Bicycle Club, the foundation’s partner in the event. They believe the ride grows in popularity each year for multiple reasons: the charity aspect, the variety
of routes, and support from The Villages, law enforcement, other cycling clubs, and 30-plus sponsors that help make this event a “best-in-class experience” for cyclists. The Bicycle Challenge accommodates all rider levels with five route options (10, 20, 32, 64, 100 miles) starting and ending at La Hacienda Recreation Center in The Villages. “The routes are pretty flat, making them attractive options for riders that want to use a well-supported event such as ours to challenge themselves to ride a longer distance,” Pat says. Cyclists primarily are Villagers, but they also come from as far north as Jacksonville and as far south as Miami. Teams compete in various divisions for trophies for the most money raised. Among others, the divisions include colleges,
cycling teams, restaurants, businesses, and armed forces as the event takes place on Veterans Day weekend. At the Cycling Expo, visitors can see the newest bicycles and accessories from local shops and national manufacturers. Attractions will include e-bike, or electric bike, demonstrations, and A&P Cycling Tours’ customized tour bus, where cyclists can see how to travel in style. The Health Fair will feature health-related vendors and free medical information, including screenings for blood pressure, hearing, skin damage, and body mass index. The Cycling Expo and Health Fair is scheduled from 10am-2pm Nov. 8 at La Hacienda Recreation Center, 1200 Avenida Central. The OneBlood Big Red Bus will be onsite for blood donations. The Sumter Landing Bicycle Club will host a free Pat and Lori Gillis
10 MILE ROUTE
ride for Bicycle Challenge participants at 8:30am Nov. 10, also starting at La Hacienda Recreation Center. The endurance ride of 2½ to 3 hours accommodates all pace levels. The support from a large number of volunteers at all the events help make Big Bike Weekend a true community effort, Pat and Lori say. “From rest-stop volunteers, to cheerleaders greeting riders as they head out through the town square, to the volunteers greeting you upon your return, to the dancers from The Villages Deutscher Club that will entertain you in the biergarten, there is just an endless cast of volunteers in front of and behind the scenes,” Pat says. To register for the Bicycle Challenge or for more information on all events, go to h4hbikeweekend.com or call 352.750.2488.
P E O P L E
PAINTING QUEEN 20 MILE ROUTE
STORY: THERESA CAMPBELL
32 MILE ROUTE
64 MILE ROUTE
100 MILE ROUTE
Photo: Anthony Rao
Blend, shade, highlight in every stroke: 16,000 instructors in 147 countries teach the Donna S. Dewberry way.
“THERE IS JUST AN ENDLESS CAST OF VOLUNTEERS IN FRONT OF AND BEHIND THE SCENES.” — PAT G I L L I S
Donna S. Dewberry is larger than life. The Lake County artist’s simple, one-stroke painting technique has generated a huge fan base in 147 countries around the world, especially among hundreds of thousands of students new to painting who are thrilled to be able to learn to paint quickly, easily and create everything from colorful flowers to whimsical critters and a variety of home décor pieces. “The purpose of the one-stroke painting is when you blend, shade, and highlight in every stroke, you look like an artist,” Donna says from her DEWU Art Center studio and retail store at 15410 County Road 565A in Groveland, where she gives classes and films her educational shows for television audiences. Donna often hears that her painting technique is a godsend. One older woman called in to a live TV show and told her: “I’m not a depressed person but I had no reason to get up each day. I just didn’t have a purpose on Earth anymore. But then I saw you on PBS and I started painting. Now when this 89-year-old goes to sleep each night, I cannot wait to wake up the next morning and see what I am going to create!” Amanda Berroa Dewberry, the fourth of Donna’s seven children, runs the Groveland shop and sees the confidence building in budding artists. “I already know my mom is amazing, but I have been able to experience so many stories of how she changed their lives,” Amanda says. “One lady mentioned she had been in the hospital for weeks and had several surgeries. She turned on the TV and saw my mom she said, ‘Amanda, I wanted to give up, but your mom gave me
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inspiration to keep going, and I was literally on the verge of saying ‘I am done.’” The woman started painting in the hospital after her husband bought her a one-stroke painting kit. “It was therapy for her,” Amanda says. “It gave her a purpose to keep going and not give up.” Donna learned firsthand how painting can be therapeutic when her daughter Maria died unexpectedly 20 years ago. “I buried myself into painting and it was my therapy,” Donna says. Donna’s children were young when she first began dabbling in arts and crafts at her kitchen table before she was discovered in the painting industry 28 years ago. Her one-stroke style of double-loading a paint brush with two separate colors to achieve the shading and highlighting became popular, and her method has been praised for inspiring students who are new to painting. Donna’s one-stroke product line was kicked off in 1996. “I know that by sharing and being passionate about sharing, it has blessed me beyond belief,” says the grandmother of 26, with two more grandchildren on the way. “I always promised if I ever made it out there, I would help anybody who was trying to do it.” She now has 16,000 instructors worldwide certified in different levels to teach the one-stroke method. Donna can be seen on the PBS, QVC and HSN television networks showcasing her technique to hundreds of thousands of viewers,
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and because of her devoted fans, she found it humbling to have raised $13 million in pledge drives for public television. “Back when I was growing up, all we could get was public television, so I’ve come full circle,” says Donna, who also sold 3 million copies of her first book. Since then, the artist has published over 120 books and has more than 220 lessons on her website, onestroke.com. With homebound folks and caregivers in mind, she leads online classes two nights a week, Tuesdays and Fridays, on Facebook Live through Donna Dewberry’s Official One Stroke. The classes are filmed from her Groveland studio/art center where brushes, paint, videos and educational materials created by Plaid Enterprises are available. Donna is at the Groveland studio for public classes from 10amnoon Tuesdays and films lessons for 70,000 (and growing) followers on YouTube. She recalls one thrilling time when she and several one-stroke artists painted 300 ornaments for the White House Christmas tree. The group, along with Donna’s husband, Mark, accepted an invitation from then-First Lady Laura Bush to a festive reception at the White House to see the decorated tree. “I have dear friends that I would have never had, and it is very humbling,” Donna says of how one-stroke painting has enriched her life. “I am going to continue to improve my talents to get better, and what keeps me going is my passion for sharing. I love it, and I l love meeting that person who becomes my good friend.”
Photos: Anthony Rao
Donna S. Dewberry
Photo: Douglas Tyler
E TR A ORDINARY
P L A C E S
STEPPING UP THE PACE Grand Oaks Resort is more than just a place to horse around. STORY: CHRIS GERBASI
When visitors drive through the gate at Grand Oaks Resort, they’re greeted by several beautiful horses roaming the pastureland. In fact, horses dot the landscape throughout the 400 acres of “America’s Equestrian Resort.” Just remember, as road signs point out, horses have the right of way. Horses and carriages have always been the foundation of the resort at 3000 Marion County Road in Weirsdale. In 2011, Tom Golisano bought the Florida Carriage Museum and rechristened it as the Grand Oaks Resort and Museum, according to the resort website. Since then, the resort has created a premier vacation destination by adding a wider range of guest experiences, such as a salon/spa with a pool; indoor and outdoor pickleball courts; a pitch-and-putt golf course and Golf Academy; and the Bistro Restaurant and Players Club Lounge.
The resort is ideal for corporate events, and weddings are conducted in a hay barn redesigned as a country chapel. In addition to houses, suites, and lodges, accommodations include 20 new one- and twobedroom cottages constructed in an area called the Hamlet. Dozens of new RV coach sites attract visitors from far and near to the quiet and peaceful locale. Wayne Irving and his wife, Joy, are from nearby Clermont but enjoy getting away to Grand Oaks for a few days of relaxation in their RV as well as dining in The Villages. “It’s a nice facility, clean, spacious lots, just a nice, relaxing place,” Wayne says. “It’s close to home but it’s a nice place to come.” Grand Oaks Resort remains first and foremost an equine attraction. The Florida Carriage & Car Museum is home to a large collection of antique carriages and equine artifacts, and collectible cars are being added during renovations, the website states. Guests also can enjoy horseback riding and carriage rides or learn the sport of carriage driving. A new 54,000-square-foot covered arena, an outdoor arena, and several other competition areas support carriages, dressage, and polo. Grand Oaks Resort is a U.S. Equestrian Federation elite training center and hosts more than 40 equestrian and dog competitions each year. The resort’s calendar includes Hunt Country Horse Shows featuring hunters and jumpers on Oct. 5-6 and Oct. 26-27. The All-Breed Agility Trials Dog Show, scheduled for Oct. 18-20, features dogs navigating an obstacle course of jumps and tunnels. The top-flight amenities and attractions make Grand Oaks Resort an oasis in horse country.
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E TR A ORDINARY
P E O P L E
Diving medical officer has been on call for scientific, commercial and public safety dives. STORY: THERESA CAMPBELL
Swimming underwater on a marine-based expedition to explore a B-29 airplane crash site on the north coast of Puerto Rico remains an unforgettable experience for diving physician and underwater archaeologist Dr. Richard Fontanez-Aldea. “The airplane laid between 125-150 feet in a rocky bottom. We used a decompression dive with air to do our forensic evaluation and gather evidence to bring to light the identification of the airplane and the circumstance of the crash,” Dr. FontanezAldea recalls. “Studying a Superfortress underwater is like seeing another creature. The fact that airplane was so emblematic for the armed forces gave a feeling of honor and gratefulness.” Dr. Fontanez-Aldea is the medical director and expert
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on wound care and hyperbaric medicine at Curelogics Wound Care and Hyperbaric Center in Lady Lake. He went through training in the 1990s to be director of the Underwater Archaeological Office in Puerto Rico. He was involved in researching shipwrecks for the U.S. Navy. “I found archaeological evidence representing a wide time gap,” says Dr. FontanezAldea, recalling one memorable dive in San Juan involved researching and creating a management plan to protect the Spanish-American War blockade runner SS Antonio Lopez that sunk in 1898. “I was amazed how big the archaeological site was; it looked like a gigantic creature underwater,” he says. The area is now a national historic landmark and public dive site.
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He also was part of a seven-member team researching the 1891 shipwreck of the Conquistador. His most breathtaking research dive was in Mona Island, a place between Puerto Rico and the Dominican Republic that is surrounded by deep water in a pristine environment with limestone cave, cliff and extensive reef. “The place is a natural preserve in natural conditions,” he says, recalling being mesmerized by 100-plus feet of visible waters and a bottom drop of 300 feet close to shore. “We stayed for 15 days looking for shipwrecks. Being far from the mainland without fresh water, electrical power, medical assistance, or food was challenging, but the natural view and the underwater scenery was worth it. The marine life was exuberant and wild; we found numerous anchors from historical periods and three archaeological sites.”
In doing commercial work, he researched submerged fiber-optic cables from Europe, United States, Central America, South America and the Virgin Islands. “Advances in technology make possible the connection of distant countries through submarine fiber-optic cables,” Dr. Fontanez-Aldea says. “The cables cross continents in deep water moving data at light speed.” As part of the installation, he says several agencies, including the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, required underwater archaeological studies. “My last investigation was in 2018, involving archaeological monitoring for the submarine fiber-optic cable system BRUSA, a cable that connects Brazil, Puerto Rico and United States,” he says. “Hurricane Maria in 2017 was a disaster of big dimension that destroyed a significant part of the Puerto Rico infrastructure. Submarine
Photos provided by Dr. Richard Fontanez-Aldea
UNDERSEA ADVENTURES
P E O P L E
TRUE TO HIS ROOTS NFL player Keanu Neal exhibits a great deal of Sumter County hometown pride.
“I WAS AMAZED HOW BIG THE ARCHAEOLOGICAL SITE WAS; IT LOOKED LIKE A GIGANTIC CREATURE UNDERWATER.” —DR. RICHARD FONTANEZ-ALDEA
after an air gas embolism happened,” he says. “Everything in his life changed, and that made me aware of the risk for diving accidents. It also motivated me to understand more about diving medicine.” After finishing his medical training, Dr. Fontanez-Aldea was hired in 2008 by the Hyperbaric and Wound Care Facility of the Puerto Rico Medical Center and he later became certified as a diving medical officer. In 2014, the Undersea and Hyperbaric Medical Society, based in Florida, and the Stellenbosch University of South Africa opened an academic track for physicians working in hyperbaric medicine to get international validated certification and become qualified for independent and supervisory practice.
Dr. Fontanez-Aldea completed the demanding academic track. “My medical cases were mostly diving accidents that I managed in the hyperbaric chamber,” he says. “For a long time, my life has been related in one way or another to diving in different modalities: scientific diving, commercial diving, public safety diving, recreational diving. But to have the ability to help people with diving-related diseases changed my life.”
Photo: Nicole Hamel
fiber-optic cables were damaged and repaired.” Dr. Fontanez-Aldea says the field of diving medicine is unique and “beyond the subspecialty in hyperbaric medicine,” which includes evaluating and working with commercial, scientific, military, law enforcement and recreational divers, and treating diving accidents. “A diving physician needs knowledge in the risks related with diving, such as marine toxicology and water pollution,” says the physician, who first earned a degree in marine biology. “While I was a student, my diving partner, who worked with me on many research projects, had a serious diving accident in his regular job as diving safety director of the University of Puerto Rico. He was paraplegic
STORY: JAMES COMBS
Keanu Neal is living proof that small-town athletes can achieve big-time success. The former football star at South Sumter High School played three seasons for the University of Florida Gators before being selected as the 17th overall pick in the 2016 National Football League Draft. As a rookie safety with the Atlanta Falcons, he reached the pinnacle of his sport by playing in the 2017 Super Bowl. “It doesn’t matter where you come from,” he says. “I tell kids they can be whatever they want to be as long as they continue to work hard, respect others, and make sure their character is on point.” He relayed that message to young athletes when he returned to South Sumter High on
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E TR A ORDINARY in Sumter County, he attended camps hosted by his older brother, Clinton Hart. Clinton played seven seasons in the NFL and once intercepted legendary quarterback Peyton Manning. “The kids were awed to be on the same field and interact with an NFL player,” he recalls. “Now, I feel blessed to have an opportunity to make the same impact on today’s youth.”
Photos: Nicole Hamel
July 6 to host a football camp. Keanu spent several hours teaching basic fundamentals such as tackling, cutting, and dummy drills. Once the camp concluded, Keanu treated the players to lunch and presented them with backpacks filled with small gifts. The following day, Keanu hosted a golf tournament at Belle Glade County Club in The Villages. Money raised went to local football programs he played for while growing up: Pop Warner, South Sumter Middle School, and South Sumter High School. For Keanu, the camp and golf tournament were ways to give back to a community that gave so much to him. “Bushnell is a small town, and there are lots of people who helped me get to where I am today, including my coaches, teachers, and people in the community,” he says. “They all made such a tremendous impact on my life. Coming back and hosting a camp is my way of saying, ‘Thanks.’” The desire to return home and host football camps runs in his family’s blood. When Keanu was an aspiring athlete growing up
P E O P L E
GETTING HIS ACT TOGETHER A Leesburg man aims for the bright lights of Hollywood.
Aspiring actors quickly realize the difficulty of moving forward in the notoriously tough film industry. It often takes many auditions to land that first role. For 20-year-old Leesburg resident Trent Van Alstine, taking that first step toward an acting career was a little less grueling. In 2018, Trent, who had completed two theater classes at Lake-Sumter State College, created an account with IMDb, a website providing a platform for
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actors to showcase themselves and connect with producers and directors. After searching for casting calls, he applied for the role of Derek Austin, an antagonist in the feature film “Finding Grace.” The movie’s director, Warren Fast, contacted Trent one month later and asked him to audition. “I uploaded a video of me playing the role of Derek,” Trent says. “Fifteen minutes later, he called and offered me the part.”
Photo: Anthony Rao
STORY: JAMES COMBS
Photo: Nicole Hamel
The blue-eyed, blond-haired young man arrived in Panama City Beach for filming of the movie and found himself among a star-studded cast. Also starring in the film were actor David Keith of “An Officer and a Gentleman,” actress Erin Gray of the TV sitcom “Silver Spoons,” and actor Bo Svenson of “Walking Tall Part 2” and “Walking Tall: The Final Chapter.” “It was really cool to meet and work alongside actors and actresses of that caliber,” says Trent, a member of Leesburg-based Good News Church. “Finding Grace” portrays a young woman’s struggles to tame her tumultuous lifestyle and rediscover a relationship with her family and God. It premiered in May at the 2019 Cannes Film Festival in France. Trent had a strong supporting role and spent three days in Panama City Beach filming the movie. While he was admittedly nervous, he ultimately made a successful transition from theater to film. “Before each scene, I’d put myself into the mindset of my character and think how my character would react to what other people are saying,” he says. “You’ve got to get in touch and in depth with your character. Listening and reacting is key.” For Trent, that “opportunity of a lifetime,” as he affectionately calls it, paved the way for additional roles. As a lead character in the 15-minute movie “Vogue 1986,” which was filmed at Southeastern University in Lakeland, he helps a young woman navigate the difficult world of modeling. He also landed a small role as a bully in the 2018 movie “Beauty Is Skin Deep,” a whodunit thriller focusing on the unsolved deaths of high school students. The movie was filmed in Clearwater Beach. Trent, a movie buff and ardent fan of directors Quentin Tarantino and Martin Scorsese, plans to continue pursuing acting but has a backup plan in case things don’t work out on Broadway or in Hollywood. He’s considering possible careers in real estate or chiropractic. “Those other careers are much more of a sure thing,” he says. “It’s good to have other goals in case acting doesn’t take off the way I want it to.”
P E O P L E
EARNING HIS CHOPS Leesburg’s Wyatt Rector gets the football opportunity of a lifetime at Florida State. Michigan is beautiful in the fall, but the 2018 season was ugly for Wyatt Rector. After playing in just one football game as a freshman at Western Michigan University, the former Leesburg High School quarterback eventually found his way back to Florida. Following the allure of a big-time college program and a chance to be closer to home, Wyatt transferred this year to Florida State University. “Thank you, God, for giving me an amazing opportunity,” Wyatt wrote on Twitter before summer training camp. As a transfer student-athlete, he’s required to sit out this season. He’s a preferred walk-on working to earn a scholarship. After redshirting the 2018 season because of his lack of playing time, Wyatt will have three years of eligibility remaining, according to the FSU sports information office. Wyatt was rated a three-star quarterback coming out of Leesburg High. For his four-year varsity career, Wyatt accumulated nearly 10,000 yards of total offense and accounted for 99 touchdowns passing and running, according to the FSU guidebook. He was the No. 31 dual-threat quarterback in the 2018 recruiting class. After announcing his transfer, the 6-foot-2, 227-pounder turned heads in the social media world with his work ethic. He and his father, Clay Rector, an assistant football coach at LHS, enthusiastically post videos of Wyatt’s workouts, including passing drills and weightlifting. Wyatt is allowed to participate in practices to soak up all the knowledge he can and no doubt will compete for the starting job in the future. Earlier this year, he told the noles247.com podcast: “My long-term goal is to finish at Florida State because through the darkest times, they were the ones giving me a chance, walk-on or not.”
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June Lew:
Going to new heights to help make medical practices better
Whether she’s helping doctors build successful medical practices, shooting wildlife on a Serengeti photo Safari, or climbing to the summit of a mountain range in China, June Lew approaches every new opportunity with passion and the drive to positively impact lives. PAID PROMOTIONAL FEATURE
Twin Medical Consultants Combining the ‘art and science’ of medicine with the ‘business’ of medicine helps make practices perfect. And no one understands that better than June Lew. She and business partner Gary Blakely are the principals in Twin Medical Consultants, a billing, medical consulting and information technology company whose team helps doctors solve some of their most complex business and technology problems so they can focus on a much greater priority… diagnosing, treating and caring for their patients.
A Passion for Caring for Doctors…and Their Patients Twin Medical Consultants helps physicians who are opening or restarting medical practices and want to establish best practices right from
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the start, practices that are successful, but want to make improvements to encourage growth, and those that need to implement changes to see improvements quickly. “I’ve seen how many doctors can use our help,” said June, who was instrumental in helping establish a practice that has grown to one of the largest and most successful multispecialty groups in Central Florida with more than 25 physicians and 10 offices. She retired in 2017 in order to move ahead full speed with her newest venture. “This is my passion. I see many doctors who are simply burned out after years of struggling with regulations and the demands of an ever-changing healthcare environment—a key reason many small doctors’ offices have been gobbled up by large practices or hospitals. We work together to help doctors regain their passion by allowing them to do what they do best and enjoy the most.” “I have become something of an efficiency expert,” said June. “I use the practice’s own staff to fix their particular problems, and identify any obstacles in the way of growth, productivity and patient satisfaction,” June added.
Great Support Translates to Superior Results “We provide as much or as little help as a practice needs,” said June. “Billing correctly is a critical issue for physicians, so we
make that a top priority. We offer a fully customizable billing service that includes following up with insurance companies to help increase revenue throughout a medical facility. “As an added value, if a physician engages us for our billing and coding services, all my other medical consulting services are included in the fee.” Those services include help with location selection and buildout, office expansion, insurances, risk management, purchasing of equipment, marketing, monitoring office flow, analyzing finance and overhead, assisting CPAs on tax planning, inventory control, front office, mergers/acquisitions, exit strategies, physician recruiting, strategic planning, and compliance.
Advanced IT Boosts Practice Productivity “Gary is equally passionate about handling a practice’s medical IT and tech support,” said June. “Doctors today are being compensated based on the quality and value of their services, not the quantity. They’re being held accountable for giving better care. We thoroughly understand what it takes to capture the information they need for the merit-based reporting of performance information that Medicare and insurance agencies require. “Most traditional computer companies don’t understand the complexities of the medical field. MIPS and MACRA (quality measures), EHR and EMR (electronic health records and electronic medical records), we completely understand them. We have used many of the software products doctors use and can provide
In addition to helping physicians improve their practices, June is also passionate about raising awareness of the beauty and fragility of the natural world through captivating wildlife photography.
all the hardware and software needed to fully integrate their systems. We look at the physicians’ workflow and create individualized packages that work for them.”
The Dream is Alive
"WE WORK TOGETHER TO HELP DOCTORS REGAIN THEIR PASSION BY ALLOWING THEM TO DO WHAT THEY DO BEST AND ENJOY THE MOST.”
June has climbed to mountain summits in pursuit of her passions, as Twin Medical Consultants continues to reach new heights in medical consulting. If you are a physician, office manager or practice administrator and would like more information, call today.
June, who came to the US as a high school sophomore from Seoul, South Korea and earned a pharmacy degree from the University of Georgia, has found a picture-perfect second calling: to raise awareness of the beauty and fragility of the natural world through captivating wildlife photography. Other passions include tennis, biking, ballroom dancing, scuba diving, cooking, traveling and spending time with her family.
BILLING & CONSULTING SERVICES Our fee for our billing services also includes:
INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY • EHR/EMR Consulting • Macra Consulting
• Billing Review
• Risk Analysis Consulting
• Financial Review
• Remote and On-Site Support
• Consulting Service for: •
Insurance
•
Credentialing (extra fee)
•
Real Estate and Build-Out
•
Recruiting
•
Mergers/ Acquisitions
•
Succession Planning
•
Benefits Review
•
And More
—JUNE LEW
• Hardware & Software Upgrades • New Installs of Hardware & Software • Setup/Maintenance of Servers & Networks • Software Updates • Network Cabling • Virus Detection/Clean Up • Setup/Maintenance of Backups
June Lew
Gary Blakely
Support Contract & Hourly Rates Available
310 Market St., Leesburg, FL 34748 / 352.353.0096 / twinmedicalconsultants.com
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Feel young again. Boost Your Confidence. Dr. Fernando Serra of Central Florida Plastic Surgery is a board certified plastic surgeon and specializes in all types of cosmetic surgery including breast, body and face enhancements. He is especially skilled at creating aesthetically beautiful, natural results using some of the most exciting and innovative surgical techniques.
| Refresh Your Image.
With over 20-years in The Villages, Dr. Serra personally discusses and attends to your needs with oneon-one appointments and procedures directly with him. Dr. Serra strives to provide the unique, natural-looking compliments you desire to help you feel more attractive, comfortable and confident.
CENT RA L FL ORIDA PL A ST I C SU R G ER Y
910 OLD CAMP ROAD, SUITE 142, THE VILLAGES 352-259-0722
DRSERRA.COM
Local business professionals lend their expertise in a variety of fields — from commercial real estate and remodeling to health insurance and marketing. PAID PROMOTIONAL FEATURE
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Property Management Sharon Bassett, Owner and Broker
≈ Bassett Premier Realty, Inc.
352.307.2925 / BassettPremierRealty.com / 10935 SE 177th Place, Suite 403, Summerfield
Q. A.
Why should you consider hiring an experienced property management company?
At Bassett Premier Realty, we act as the professional liaison between the property owner and tenant for both commercial and residential properties. We oversee and manage the owner’s property from general maintenance and repairs to marketing the property to fill vacancies. Our services include execution and management of Long Term, Seasonal and Lease Only leases, by my team of professional Licensed Realtors and support staff. Our bottom line goal is to provide professional assistance and guidance to increase the landlord’s wealth. Many of our clients reside out of state, but own property or have a retirement home in the area. As your property manager, we’ll help them lease their property until they’re able to retire and relocate here permanently. When you work with us, we pride ourselves in delivering a peace of mind, and worry-free oversight of your property with increased occupancy and decreased tenant turnover goals in mind. We offer personalized marketing, including staging services to present and fill the home with a tenant. We provide professional oversight and inspections
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to make sure someone is there. If any maintenance is needed, we’ll only work with trusted, qualified licensed and insured contractors to conduct any repairs quickly and efficiently. When you seek Bassett Premier Realty to manage your property, it’s important to know we are experienced in and follow the Florida Statues for Landlord and Tenant laws. We also handle and pay the Florida State and Local Sales Taxes, required to be paid to the Florida Department of Revenue on rentals of 6 months or less. Many potential new landlords are not aware of the fine details required by the state of Florida when it comes to leasing property. We use a Property Management Attorney for all our lease preparation. When we find your tenant, we make sure they are a good fit to be in your treasured home or commercial property. We’ll conduct background checks, income verifications, and execute the lease agreement. We will collect all monies, hold security
deposits in our escrow account and by the 15th of each month, we’ll disburse the collected rent with a monthly statement to the property owner. Our team at Bassett Premier Realty, Inc. has over 30 years of property management experience and have served hundreds of property owners in the Central Florida area. Our agents work and live in The Villages and Summerfield area. The best compliments we receive are the referrals from our customers, fellow Brokers and Realtors. We strive to provide Excellence in Customer Service all the time!
Woodwork Steve and Tanner Long
Q. A.
352.750.9016 / specificswoodwork.com
What is the value of custom cabinetry?
Whether you’re thinking of renovating your home or building a new one, you want your unique style to show through. You can do that with the help of Specifics Woodwork Inc. Custom cabinetry means getting exactly what you want with no limits on size, shape, dimensions, and color. The cabinets are built to
≈ Specifics Woodwork, Inc.
your specifications and what fits your home. “Everything at Specifics Woodwork Inc. is done from scratch, we do not outsource,” says owner Steve Long. “We start with rough-sawn lumber and hand form it. We have all types of woods and produce 100 different moldings.” Steve says the planning begins with a blank piece of paper, and they draw until the drawing fits exactly what the customer wants for their
home. “We plan until we know the finished product will work for the customer practically and visually, and we guarantee it forever.” Steve mentions that their customers become friends by the time the job is complete; this leads to about 70 percent of business coming from repeat customers. Each job completed by Specifics Woodwork Inc. has its own details; nothing is done in a cookie-cutter style. The business, which opened in 1990, is family owned and operated. With Steve, his brother, and their sons, there are two generations of the Long family working to make every job exactly what the customer wants. “Our biggest assets are listening to the customer,
giving them exactly what they want, and assuring the job is done well. As long as we have our careful, accurate measurements, you’re going to get exactly what you see on paper,” adds Tanner, Steve’s son. “We make them to fit your house.” All the work on the custom cabinets is done in-house. There are no outside contractors; nothing comes from factory; this ensures you will get exactly what you want with no limitations. Steve and Tanner mention that they never leave a job unfinished, and the job isn’t finished until the customer is 100 percent satisfied with the project. Custom cabinetry includes kitchens, bathrooms, entertainment centers, and home offices. Wherever you want cabinets in your home, you can add beauty and value with custom design and style from Specifics Woodwork Inc. “Custom woodwork lasts longer and makes your home a legacy for your family,” Steve says. “They can say with pride, ‘This is my vision’ for their home.”
SPECIFICS WOODWORK inc.
Plumbing Daniel Dicus, Service Manager/Estimator
≈ Ross Plumbing
Serving Lake, Sumter and The Villages 352.728.6053 / After-hours emergency number: 352.267.3505 / terryrossplumbing.com
Q. A.
What are the advantages of using a tankless water heater instead of a tank-type water heater?
The first advantage is going to be energy savings. The U.S. Department of Energy estimates that a gas-fired tankless water heater can save you approximately 21 to 43 percent in energy use per year over using a traditional tank-type heater. Another pro is long service. With proper maintenance of a tankless water heater, you should be able to get 15-20 years of service out of one. The tank-style heaters have a life expectancy of 8-12 years. Tankless heaters save space. They’re only 18 inches wide, 24 inches tall and 8 inches deep, and you can hang them on exterior or interior walls. If you have a tank heater in your garage, they’re taking up 24-by-24 inches and a 6-foot-tall space. The advantage of tankless energy is that you use that gas
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or electric energy only when there is a demand to be used. So, there is no wasted energy for heating and reheating water that is not in use. Tankless water heaters provide continual hot water throughout its use. Just to be clear, tankless water heaters are not Instahot heaters, as some people have that misconception. You will still continue to wait for the hot water just as you did with a tank-style heater, but the difference is that tankless heaters will continue to give you hot water as long as you have the faucet running—if you left that water running for eight hours, it would stay hot for eight hours. In a tank-type heater, if you left that hot water running, you’re going to empty that 40 gallons in approximately 24-25 minutes. Then you’re stuck without any hot water because water is passing through the
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tank faster than it can be heated up. So, you have to wait for that 40 gallons to be heated back up and then reuse. All tankless heaters need to be sized properly for the amount of usage that could be needed at any given peak demand time. Tankless water heaters, however, are more costly. The price range is anywhere from $1,700 to $3,500 to install a gas tankless water heater. You pay more upfront to put in a tankless, but you look for that energy-efficiency savings in your bills. Tankless water heaters are becoming more common because people want the green effect where they
feel like they’re not wasting energy. Gas tankless heaters are a lot more energy-efficient than electric models. Most installations are dictated by availability of power and gas supply and how much hot water is needed. I am a big believer in the gas tankless models as I have installed them on my personal house and enjoy their energysaving benefits.
ROSS
PLUMBING
Home Inspection Bo Passen, Owner, Operator, Lead Inspector
Q. A.
≈ Passen Inspections and Thermal Imaging 352.530.7343 / passeninspections.com
What is IR and how does it make a home inspection more effective?
I have been using infrared (IR) technology my entire adult life. I got my start with IR in the military. Infrared technology, in the form of thermography, has only moved into the home inspection world in the past 10 years or so. Locally, I am one of the few inspectors who is using the technology as a regular part of every inspection. Thermography can be an extremely powerful tool, but like any tool, it has to be used properly by a trained individual. An inspector that is not properly trained can easily be fooled by misreading the data. I am a nationally Certified Residential Thermographer, a Florida Association of Building Inspectors (FABI) Registered Professional Inspector, and an American Society of Home Inspectors (ASHI) Certified Inspector. Thermography works by showing the variations in heat. Mainly, I am looking for overheated electrical circuits and moisture intrusion. Contrary to popular belief, IR does not see through walls. Nor does it see the actual water. It shows the temperature change caused by the water. Two of the things that damage a home very quickly are fire and water. Infrared
helps me find these things that have the potential to destroy your home. One significant example was the discovery of a 320 degree electrical circuit inside a home. This is obviously a dangerous situation that could burn a house down. Hundreds of times, I have found moisture intrusion; either in roof leaks, through walls, around windows, etc. where there were no stains, or other
visual indications. I can also use it to help the homeowner who has a leak and doesn’t know the source. Buying a home is likely the single largest investment a typical person is ever going to make. You want to know what you are getting into. Ninety percent of my business is with potential home buyers. I also do warranty inspections. This is a full inspection on new construction to identify things the builder should fix before the warranty runs out. Sometimes, I come in and find nothing wrong, but it gives people peace of mind. But sometimes I find something that is catastrophic. We want to find that issue before you get sucked into a financially crippling money pit.
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Fencing Shane Miller
≈ Mossy Oak Fence
271 Southridge Industrial Drive, Tavares / 407.900.2940
Integrity, teamwork, excellence, and accountability. These core values are important to Shane Miller, and explains why his company, Mossy Oak Fence, has gained the trust and respect of their clients. When you deal with Mossy Oak Fence, you can always expect prompt and reliable service, as well as hard work and honesty. We asked Shane some questions about the fencing industry.
Q.
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A.
What How long separates does it Mossy Oak take to Fence from other install a fence? fencing companies? It’s the service that we provide. We don’t look at customers as just another job or just another name. We treat them as clients, and our definition of a client is someone who is under the care, guidance, and protection of a professional. We spend more time than the average company does on site, making sure we have the right product for the property and trying to achieve the outstanding results that client desires.
It depends on the style of fence. If it’s a backyard residential fence that’s 300 square feet or less, then it’s a one-day installation. Mossy Oak Fence also installs larger commercial projects for companies like Disney, Publix, and Coca Cola that take much longer. The important thing to remember is that we take our time to complete each project large or small to the client’s exact specifications, says Shane.
Q.
Q.
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A.
Does fencing require a permit?
Most projects do require a permit. If you’re in the limits of Lake County, then no permit is required unless the fence exceeds 6 feet in height. However, if you live within city limits, then it does require a permit.
Do you offer custom fencing?
We’re very big on custom fencing. We’re truly one of the few companies in Central Florida or maybe even Florida that truly is a custom manufacturer of fencing. We have a 110,000 square-foot facility located in Tavares with state-of-the-art
equipment to manufacture, fabricate or weld virtually any design a client might have in mind. fabrication department that can fabricate wood, different vinyl styles, and aluminum and steel. There’s really nothing at this point we cannot do as it pertains to fences.
Q.
How long have you owned the company?
A.
I have owned it for 12 years. I was born and raised in Leesburg and graduated from Leesburg High School in 1987.
Q.
What makes you passionate about fencing?
A.
I’ve been in the industry for about 30 years. I’ve just come to love what I do, and we’ve become professionals at it. We have a slogan here at our company: “Let the Mossy family protect your family.” In a small way, I feel like we’re in the security business. For residences and businesses alike, Mossy Oak Fence contains pets and children and keeps the bad guys out! We really enjoy providing security and peace of mind for our clients.
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Commercial Realtor
Danny Smith, ACL, CCIM
≈ Smith & Smith Realty Inc.
1102 N. Main St., Suite F, Wildwood 34785 / 352.461.1186 / dannysmith@ccim.net
Danny Smith, broker associate and co-owner of Smith & Smith Realty, is an accredited land consultant (ALC) and a certified commercial investment member (CCIM). The education and knowledge he gained through these certifications qualify Danny to answer the following question, one he hears all the time on and off the job:
Q. A.
What’s my property worth?
Smith & Smith Realty offers a broker opinion of value, which is not an appraisal, but we do comprehensive studies to put together a report and we do that for free in most cases. This question is not something that can be answered by saying, for example, the land is 40 acres so it’s a $200,000 property. It’s not that simple, even on vacant land. Commercial property is sometimes even more complicated. It’s a matter of
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sitting down with science and a little bit of gut feeling, too, and knowing the market and coming up with a value. With residential, you can compare houses. If you have three houses of the same size, the same year, and they sold for these amounts, the average is the value, and that’s it. With commercial, if you find enough similar properties, you basically can do the same thing, or you can look at the income stream or dollar per square foot. However, land is something unique. Even though two
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properties can be in the same area, one side of the road might bring more money than the other side of the road. One piece of property may adjoin another piece of property that makes it more valuable. You’ve got to look at why somebody bought a property. Many times, a neighbor will pay more than anybody else for a property because they want the property next to them. Smith & Smith Realty looks at sales of similar properties, property conditions, water and sewer, environmental factors. The use of the property makes a big difference. We look to see if we can transition the property into a higher and better use, in other words, can we take that cow pasture and turn it into a shopping center? The biggest factor about land is location. You can do
anything to land but move it. Just because you can do something on the land, does it make sense to put it there? To try to turn a cow pasture into a shopping center when you don’t have any rooftops around, it’s not going to work. Retail follows rooftops. Restaurants follow rooftops. For example, view the images below that indicates a commercial property development plan in process. Those are the factors you need to consider when determining the value of your land, and Smith & Smith Realty can help you make that determination.
Solar Energy Ben Pauluhn, President
≈ Optimus Solar
1107 Robie Ave., Mount Dora, FL 32757 / 352.535.0227 / optimus-solar.com
Q. A.
Why aren’t more people going solar?
With the household economics, environmental benefits and domestic investment case being so strong for solar energy adoption in Florida, we often receive the question: why aren’t more people going solar? When solar was in its infancy, there were issues with unscrupulous vendors, lack of long-term testing on parts/materials, and a general confusion around
how things such as netmetering worked. In addition to a lack of education around the practical realities of solar, these issues created a barrier for many potential adopters. Over the past 10 years, all facets of the industry have matured. We now see long-term stability and much lower total costs (down almost 50% over the past 5 years) on more efficient systems. There are now very few reasons for homes and commercial buildings in Florida to avoid going solar.
In Florida, residential solar energy currently has an average payback period of around 8.5 years and carries 15-30 year parts and labor warranties. Roof penetrations have become immensely safe due to advances in component engineering, while the electronics and output monitoring capabilities have made huge leaps forward as well. A solar energy system based on old technology would only produce as much power as the most-shaded panel was producing. With the introduction of electronic components such as optimizers and micro-inverters, each panel is now maximized and systems are exponentially more efficient than even just 10 years ago. Advances in software modeling have helped the
industry tremendously in ensuring accurate long-term predictions, giving the system owner confidence that they will realize the long-term savings being committed up front. Working with a company such as Optimus Solar that provides a power production guarantee eliminates the financial risk of any future shortfalls by guaranteeing output or paying the difference. Previously, there were some valid reasons for households and businesses to be hesitant about solar. However, these reasons have largely been removed as the industry has matured, quality businesspeople have entered the provider space, and component quality has dramatically improved. Solar energy is good for households, businesses, and communities. Please reach out to Optimus Solar with your questions so we can ensure you are equipped with the correct information to make the best decision for your household or business.
Medicare Julie Graham & Susan Brisbin, Co-Founders & Independent Agents Health Insurance & Retirement Advocates, Inc. 411 N. Donnelly St., Suite 300, Mount Dora, FL 32757 / 352.735.7795 / healthandretirementadvocates.com
Q. A.
I am turning 65 soon, what do I need to know to successfully navigate the Medicare system?
Happy Medicare birthday! This is a big milestone and deserves a celebration. Here are a few things every new 65-yearold should know:
1. If you are already drawing Social Security, you will automatically be enrolled into Parts A and B. Your Medicare will begin on the 1st of your birthday month
and your monthly payment will be automatically deducted from your Social Security check.
2. If you are still working and have an employer group health plan (EGHP), you most likely will NOT need Part B. You will “delay enrollment� until you are ready to retire. Plan to contact Social Security about 3 months in advance. Your employer will confirm creditable coverage and arrange for your Part B to begin the first of the month
after your EGHP ends. Cobra does not count as EGHP, consult a licensed agent before electing Cobra if you are 65 or older.
3. Once your Medicare Parts A and B are in place, you may select additional coverage such as Medicare Advantage (MA), Medicare Supplement (Medigap) and/or Part D plans. 4. If you recently moved here, even if you came from neighboring counties, a change in location can open up new plan options. You have 63 days after you report a change of address to select new coverage if it is available, so be sure to reach out to a local agent and inquire. 5. For those already enrolled in a Medicare plan, the Annual Enrollment Period (AEP) is right around the corner (October 15 December 7)! During this time, everyone with Medicare can review plans for the upcoming year and make changes that will become effective on January 1st.
6. In the event you discover you selected the wrong coverage, you are allowed to make a 1-time change during the Open Enrollment Period (OEP) between January 1 and March 31. 7. Finally, if you are happy with your current plan, you do not need to do anything. Your plan will automatically renew. Medicare can be confusing; meeting with a local agent costs you nothing! The professionals at Health Insurance & Retirement Advocates can make navigating this landscape effortless. Our office is nestled in the heart of downtown Mount Dora and provides a comfortable setting to have this meaningful conversation. We pride ourselves on Making Medicare Easy and look forward to helping you make an informed decision.
Painting Amanda Kelley, Owner
≈ Kelley Painting Services of Florida
1207 W. Main St., Leesburg, FL 34748 / 352.267.7854 / kelleypsfl.com
Q. A.
What is needed from a paint contractor?
The main thing I stress is education. When I go to take a look at a home or business I want to be sure they know what they need or don’t need. There have been times when I have said “your house is fine, you don’t need to do anything at all.” I don’t want to do what isn’t necessary or more importantly have someone pay for something that isn’t needed. There are three important things that I like to stress with my customers: 1. Understand what you’re getting, and take time to learn exactly what the paint contractor will be doing and why, communication is the key. 2. Know what is needed for longevity and how you can get the most from your new paint job. 3. Pressure washing is not needed every year! Yes your house may get dirty but you don’t need to pressure wash
passionate about the colors that they are selecting as I do. I am confident that my pricing is fair for every job, and although I may not be the cheapest, I will be the best choice from a quality and value standpoint. I
advise my customers how to maintain the home through the years and even send out a five year reminder card for an inspection. This may be the time to schedule that pressure washing job!
it annually. If your house is dirty simply use a garden hose to clean it. If I have painted your house and you believe it needs to be pressure washed just call me and I will come inspect it personally and make a recommendation if it truly needs pressure washing.
I believe in exceeding my customer’s expectations on every job. I am involved in the process every step of the way to make sure the customer is happy! I will be there for the initial planning stage to help you select the right colors and utilize my color expert if necessary at no charge. It has been my experience that being a woman in the painting business is extremely beneficial since it’s often the women who deal with the color in a home and they are more comfortable dealing with me. I love color and want my customer to feel as
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Roofing Rod Reisman, CEO & Jason Reisman, General Manager 352.343.4240 / EustisRoofing.com / 15311 Old US Highway 441, Suite A, Tavares
Q. A.
What should you expect from your roofer?
Having a roof replacement will be one of the most expensive purchases you’ll make to your home. Any roofing company can put a roof on, but it takes a true professional roofing craftsman to install a well-built roof. Your roof is not the area where you want to cut corners or go with the cheapest bid. Rod and Jason often see 5-7-year-old roofs that need replacement and the homeowner was expecting the full 20-30 years they should have gotten. It is so vital to take your time and choose wisely. Most homeowners don’t even think about their roof until they have a problem and then fall prey to making a hasty decision. Don’t wait for a leak or visible signs. Your roof should be inspected at least every 2 years. Build a relationship with a roofing company by being pro-active with any maintenance. This will give you the opportunity to experience service on a smaller scale, the knowledge of your roof’s life expectancy, time to plan your budget and insight to know who you fully trust for a complete roof replacement when that time arrives. Do your research on the roofer you want to build a relationship with. Some suggestions are to make a visit to their
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≈ Eustis Roofing Company
office location, read reviews, ask people you know and trust who they recommend. Consider the company’s reputation, how long they have been in business in the same community location. The kind of equipment the company has invested in shows they care about the quality of work they do. Words of wisdom in hiring a roofing contractor are to request the contractor’s Certificates of Workman’s Comp and Liability Insurance to come directly from the Insurance Carriers before any work commences. Never pull your own permit, require Certificates of Completion that shows your permit has passed all code required inspections and always get a lien release from your Contractor AND their supplier. Hire companies that do not sub-contract their labor out. A roofing license is required in the State of Florida and you can check https://www.myfloridalicense.com to verify an active and valid license. Rod and Jason Reisman UNDERSTAND roofing. Experience is key. Eustis Roofing is tearing off roofs that they installed 20+ years ago. They see what has worked, what hasn’t and is continually building on that knowledge and using it to train and inspire their employees to pay attention to details, focus on quality and take pride in their work. Eustis Roofing Company is a family owned 60-Year-old business. Rodney & Cheryl Reisman, their son Jason and his wife Amber Reisman and Rod’s brother Richard Reisman all work together committed to each other and to each employee and customer based on the belief
that family and the home we live in is our greatest access. We have the greatest employees we could ask for states Jason Reisman. We are committed to them and to our community. We set high standards and our employees far exceed them. We’re all proud to work together with integrity to service our community. This community has supported Eustis Roofing Co for 60 years and the Reisman family decided to give back to the community and became a part of the No Roof Left Behind campaign. Last year Eustis Roofing installed a new roof for Sunrise ARC of Lake County, Inc. where a group home of 6 women were going to have to be vacated due to the condition of the roof damage. Our company came together and installed the roof at no cost. We are currently running another campaign asking the community to nominate a homeowner who has fallen on hard times and needs a new roof. Visit http://eustisroofing.com/no-roof-left-behind for more details. Eustis Roofing Co is a service-based business large enough to give big company service with the hometown dependability. Eustis Roofing Co can answer all your questions and provides free estimates to homeowners. Come visit us at 15311 Old US Highway 441, Suite A, Tavares FL 32778 or call 343-4240 and start building a relationship. Let’s work together to get the greatest longevity out of your roof!
Mowers Jason West, Owner
≈ Caskey’s Mower Shop
31333 Saunders Circle, Tavares / 352.343.2151 / caskeysmowershop.com
Q. A.
What is the benefit of working with a local dealer versus a bigbox store?
First, Caskey’s Mower Shop is a family-owned company that started in 1963. Today, we carry on with the sales and services of lawn mowers and outdoor power equipment. We sell some of the most reputable brands in the industry, including Gravely and Stihl. I purchased the company in 2015 after spending nearly 20 years in the landscape business. As a
result, I have lots of knowledge and respect for local landscape companies. We keep focus on our homeowners, however have improved on commercial landscaper needs and knowing that their business is their livelihood. When you come to Caskey’s, you’re dealing with professionals who are specialized in one particular field rather than dealing with somebody who just works in a store. Experience and knowledge
are critically important for the homeowner and professional to be guided in the right direction to make the best decision possible for their needs. Everyone has different needs and there is a right and wrong choice. We are here to make that choice easier for you. The best thing about dealing with us is that my brother and I can help you in many other aspects of this field other than just equipment. We create meaningful relationships with customers from day one and truly care about your needs rather than somebody helping you because you’re just the next person in line. Another advantage in doing business with dealers like us, is that we keep a large stock of service parts for all the equipment we sell making it easy for you to care for your equipment. We also have up-to-date
parts database allowing us to repair and service equipment that we don’t even sell. Having these programs is a big reason why big-box store customers come to us after their initial purchase. Big-box stores aren’t going to have the ability to look parts up for you and get you what you need. Finally, we are very respected in the community. We try to give back whenever possible supporting local activities and events. We are only a small part of the community and without support we would have nothing. If everyone continues to support local we can continue building one-of-a-kind businesses with local character and community well-being. Our family operated business will hopefully be the future of our children to keep local communities alive.
Remodeling Bryan Smith, Founder
≈ BP Smith Construction
326 E. Alfred St., Tavares 32778 / 352.609.5979 / bpsmithconstruction.com
Q.
Home much does a home renovation cost?
A.
Pricing is always the top question. A lot of people are kind of trying to see if they can afford it or not. In their mind, I think they should always have a budget number, but it might not be close to what it would actually cost. So, we’ve actually created a pricing guide that is on our website, bpsmithconstruction. com. It really is a guide for customers, and it gives the most common renovations, such as guest bath, master bath, to additions and additions with bathrooms, and with level pricing as well. A guest bath could be $8,000 up to $15,000 to $20,000 based on finishes alone. We kind of streamlined the pricing guide and made it simple for customers to get a budget number before they have to rearrange their schedule to have somebody come out to take a look at it. There is less of a sticker shock seeing the pricing
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guide of what renovation bills costs. It actually makes it easier, not only for us, but for them as well. We are not wasting a trip out there and we’re not wasting their time. One of the items listed on the pricing guide features a kitchen cabinet refacing, new tops, tile backsplash for $8,000 to $10,000.
Q.
How long is a home renovation going to take?
A.
It is based on what project they are looking to have done. Just from getting the plans drawn to the permitting can take six weeks. Permitting can take another four weeks, and then it may be another four weeks before you can put a shovel in the ground. From the start of construction to completion, a small bathroom remodel can take at least six weeks to do. I think TV has simplified the process. As contractors, we are here to explain it is not done that fast. We are doing large additions now that are going
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to take six to seven months to complete. It can take longer than building a standard house. What we are doing a lot of now is large additions. We’re actually adding a second story to a house; we’re adding 800 square feet, and it is more than doubling the house. We’re adding two bedrooms, two bathrooms, a family room, and a wet bar area, so it is like adding another house.
Q.
Can I stay in my house during renovation?
A.
If we’re doing a bathroom remodel, yes, you can stay in the house. If we’re just doing one bathroom and you still have another bathroom, then it is not going to disrupt your normal routine. Even with additions, you can stay in your house if we are doing additions. But, if we are doing a whole house renovation, it’s really impossible to stay in the house. The ideal and most cost-effective way is to take the project down to where
you are basically starting with new construction. The house that we are adding the second story to, the house has been stripped down to nothing. There is no kitchen, no bathroom, and we are going to rebuild it just like we were building it from new construction. So, yes, during bathroom remodels, people can stay in the home, and the one addition where we are doubling the size of the house, they can stay in there. We are not affecting their living area at all.
Q.
Are home renovations a good investment?
A.
Yes, they are. There are people who like where they are and their situation. Some people have an emotional attachment to where they live. They have put a lot of work into these homes and they really want to keep the original structure. In going back to two examples of customers, the lots that their houses are on are incredible lots. It’s a good investment
to renovate your house because of the land. There are some renovations that are more cost-effective than others, obviously. Kitchen renovations and bath renovations, you get your most return from your investment with those kinds of renovations. You can take something as simple as replacing your
entry door or your overhead garage door, and with those renovations you are basically making all of your money back. With kitchen and bath, you’re making probably 80 percent on those renovations. And if you were to sell your house, the new homeowner knows they don’t have to put that kind of money
into it. It really is a cost-effective way to update your house. In a lot of houses, we are doing what I just call a face-lift by updating the cabinets, countertops, the plumbing fixtures, and those alone will increase the value.
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Marketing/ Branding Alexandria Pauluhn, J’nay Hector, Erin Johnson, and Kasey Mannes 352.405.2709 / conciergemediaco.com
Q. A.
I own a business and I have a logo. Do I really need a “brand identity” and marketing plan?
The short answer is yes. Here’s why: You’ve spent money and time (and blood, sweat and tears) to build a business. In the midst of invoices, sales, and the mundane administrative tasks, all too often, marketing is
overlooked, underestimated, or seemingly unaffordable. But that is one of the biggest mistakes a business can make, especially a startup. Most small businesses struggle to survive (much less grow) solely on “word-ofmouth” marketing and a logo on their door.
≈ Concierge Media
But isn’t a logo the same thing as a brand? A logo is definitely an integral part of your brand’s visual identity. But it’s not the end-all be-all. A successful brand tells a story that creates an emotional response that resonates with a target demographic. Businesses that build a defined brand strategy (a process we LOVE at Concierge Media) dig deep, identifying their target audience, identifying ways to successfully communicate with that audience, and committing to projecting a consistent outward-facing image. Once you have solidified your brand, your business
can implement a marketing strategy to effectively promote that brand to your target demographic. That’s the difference. Successful businesses use their brand (not just their logo) to advertise and connect with their audience, increasing their sales and overall reach. We strongly encourage businesses (new and established) to create a marketing plan and brand identity—especially before spending any money on advertising. You can’t have a billboard without a brand! Concierge Media Solutions is at your service. We are a marketing agency that specializes in branding, digital marketing, content marketing, and graphic design. From business cards to billboards, websites to programmatic advertising, Concierge offers services to help you start—and stay!—in business. Branded Content. Proven Marketing. Concierge Media, At Your Service.
Residential Real Estate Addie Owens, Broker/Owner
≈ Touchstone Real Estate
2785 S Bay Street Ste ABCE, Eustis / 352.223.0053 / addieowens.com
Q. A.
Are Realtors becoming obsolete?
The short answer is absolutely not! Yes, technology is evolving at a rapid pace, and that is a major influencing factor in the Real Estate sector. However, technology is adding more value to the REALTOR®, and not diminishing it. Accessibility to information is improving across the board. No matter what area of life you’re working in, information is as easy as a google or YouTube search. Platforms such as realtor.com and Zillow.com have improved consumer access to data and that alone adds value to the consumer experience. Realtors also have more access to different data and technology that we did not have even 5 years ago, enabling us to serve our customers more efficiently and effectively. Data is not the only driving force behind a home or property purchase
though. Market influences, neighborhood information, community expertise and ancillary partner experience is something that only your local REALTOR® can provide to a buyer or seller. I like to refer to the Realtor as the Shepard of the real estate transaction. They are very much a guide, navigating their customers way through a mine field of potential pit falls. The service a Realtor provides is more personalized now than it has ever been because we are able to leverage technology to improve how, when, and what we communicate through the process. In addition, according to the National Association of Realtors 70% of all Realtors volunteer in their community in some way. From the PTA, faith-based volunteerism, government leaders, and T-Ball coaches, Realtors are ingrained in their communities. They are intimately familiar
with the idiosyncrasies of their neighborhoods and the influences in their communities. The value this brings to the real estate purchase and sale experience is invaluable and cannot be duplicated by any technology and supersedes data sourcing. The bottom line is that Realtors are not going anywhere, any time soon. They are not just there to “make a sale”. They are building
relationships with their customers and are heavily invested in the health and growth of their communities. Next time you meet a Realtor in your community, take a minute and ask them about the market. It’s one thing they never tire of talking about!
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Join Us For the Largest Classic Car Show & Swap Meet in the U.S. Nov 28th - Dec 1st, 2019 at Daytona Speedway $15 Thurs - Sat ~ $10 Sun Kids 11 & Under FREE 8am-4pm Thurs - Sat ~ 8am-2pm Sun
6,000+ Classic Cars For Show & Sale Massive Swap Meet * Artisan Alley * Food * Music
Meet Rick & Kelly Dale from “American Restoration” on the History Channel Fri & Sat 10am-4pm
Meet Butch Patrick from “The Munsters” & check out the Munster Koach
Mobile Experience
Sat. 12pm-4pm
www.TurkeyRun.com 386.255.7355 Text “Turkey Run” to 22411
FREE Little Gobbler’s Zone
KNEE REPLACEMENT?
OR DO YOU MEAN
PERFORMANCE UPGRADE?
At Advanced Orthopedics Institute we specialize in hips, knees, shoulders, ankles, wrists...and tennis players. Knee pain, stiffness, locking, giving way (buckling), creaking, swelling or inability to walk or play without pain can occur because of traumatic injury, arthritis, or overuse. Depending on the cause, conservative care such as a brace or therapy may relieve the pain. If not, rejuvenative stem cell therapy, arthroscopic knee surgery or partial or total knee replacement can be life-enhancing and allow you to return to your active lifestyle. Get moving. Call 352.751.2862.
G E T A-O K W I T H AO I
John T. Williams, Jr., MD
1400 N US Hwy 441, Suite 552 | The Villages, FL 32159 phone 352.751.2862 | fax 352.751.5541 | goaoi.com
Alfred J. Cook, Jr., MD
A Lasting Memory It is our goal to help you say goodbye to your special friend in the most caring and understanding way.
“A way to provide the respect and loyalty after death that your pet freely gave in life�
Central Florida Pet Crematory has been serving Lake and Marion Counties since 2002.
Lisa Elliott
Crematory Director
352.307.2256 // 10725 SE 36th Ave www.cflpetcrematory.com
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MARK YOUR CALENDAR! PLAN YOUR TRIP! BE SEEN IN LAKE AND SUMTER! | EVENTS. TRAVEL. PEOPLE.
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THE TO-DO LIST What’s happening this month.
LOCAL TALENT Tune in to the Lake County Folk Festival.
NEAR & FAR Alpine Helen: The best little German town in America.
SOCIAL SPOTLIGHT Models strut their stuff at the Fashion Designers Showcase.
HI, SOCIETY! See who is stepping out at events around town.
THE TO-DO LIST
oct. 2019
FESTIVAL
Get in the spirit of the season Santa’s Christmas Tree Forest is not just for Christmas— Halloween is celebrated there, too. Enjoy pumpkin patches, kid-friendly hayrides, parties, corn mazes and more. Oct 1-27 @ weekends / Santa’s Christmas Tree Forest 35317 Huff Road, Eustis santaschristmastreeforest.com
OCT
1-27
FESTIVAL
OCT
3-6
SPOKESPEOPLE The 45th annual Mount Dora Bicycle Festival is Florida’s oldest and largest bicycling event, and this year will attract more than 1,000 cyclists. There will be rides of varying lengths for all ages and skills. Oct 3-6 @ various times / Mount Dora Chamber of Commerce, 341 Alexander St. mountdorabicyclefestival.com
OCT
31
MUSICAL
OH, THE HORROR! “Phantasmagoria X: Reckoning” brings whimsical, macabre entertainment to Eustis. This is a group of storytellers, dancers and chorus that will enthrall you with their dark journeys. Not recommended for children under age 8. Oct. 31 @ 8pm / Bay Street Players 109 N. Bay St., Eustis, 352.357.7777
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L A K E A N D S U M T E R S T Y L E .C O M • O C T ' 1 9
oct.
ON STAGE Enjoy quality entertainment on the many stages of Lake and Sumter counties.
10/2 @ 3 & 7pm “BALLROOM WITH A TWIST” The Sharon, 1051 Main St., The Villages
10/4-20 @ various times “THE HAUNTING OF HILL HOUSE” Melon Patch Theatre, 311 N. 13th St., Leesburg
10/5 @ 7:30pm TONY DANZA: “STANDARDS AND STORIES” Clermont Performing Arts Center, 3700 S. Highway 27
10/6 @ 5 & 8pm TONY DANZA: “STANDARDS AND STORIES” The Sharon, 1051 Main St., The Villages
10/18-31 @ various times “EVIL DEAD: THE MUSICAL” Moonlight Players Theatre, 735 W. Minneola Ave., Clermont OCT
4-19
ENTERTAINMENT
You might be a redneck if… The third in the Redneck Country trilogy, “A Good OldFashioned Redneck Country Happy Halloween,” features the tremendously funny group at Lou’s Diner. It’s so scary it could turn your neck white!
10/19 @ 7pm “CURTAIN UP” WITH THE FLORIDA PHILHARMONIC ORCHESTRA Clermont Performing Arts Center, 3700 S. Highway 27
10/28 @ 7pm
Oct 4-19 @ various times / Mimi’s Community Theater 6th St., Montverde facebook.com/littlecommunitytheater
ONGOI NG EV ENTS Events are subject to change and cancellation.
“NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC LIVE! PINK BOOTS AND A MACHETE” WITH MIREYA MAYOR The Sharon, 1051 Main St., The Villages
EVERY MON
EVERY TUE
EVERY SAT
1ST MON
3RD WED
Webster’s Farmer’s Market 6am2pm, 524 North Market Blvd., Webster
Lady Lake Farmer’s Market 9am1pm, Lady Lake Log Cabin, 106 S. U.S. Hwy. 441/27
Brownwood Farmer’s Market 9am-1pm, 2726 Brownwood Blvd., Wildwood
Senior Shakedown 1-3pm, Tavares Civic Center, 100 E. Caroline St.
PAWS Reading Dogs W.T. Bland Library, Mount Dora.
3RD THU
Mount Dora Food Trucks downtown Mount Dora.
1ST FRI
Street Party Downtown Eustis, 6-10pm
Night Market 5th and Magnolia Streets, Leesburg, 5-8pm
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THE TO-DO LIST
oct.JAMS Move to the beat of one of your favorite performers at one of these great concerts or local venues!
10/4 @ pm
10/13 @ pm
10/27 @ pm
TRACKSIDE BAND Crossroads 44, Eustis
THE VILLAGES PHILHARMONIC ORCHESTRA The Sharon, The Villages
MAD HADDER BAND Magical Meat Boutique, Mount Dora
LONIE CARTER JJ’s Lounge and Package, Sorrento
10/14 @ pm
10/30 @ 7:3pm
JULIE FOWLIS The Sharon, The Villages
JEFF WHITFIELD Ruby Street Grille, Tavares
10/5 @ pm
10/16 @ 7:3pm
10/31 @ pm
LONIE CARTER JJ’s Lounge and Package, Sorrento
JEFF WHITFIELD Ruby Street Grille, Tavares
GREG PANDO Mojo Grill and Catering, Belleview
10/10 @ pm
GREG PANDO Mojo Grill and Catering, Belleview
10/31 @ pm
10/20 @ 7:3pm
11/1 @ pm
DEFENDERS OF DAISIES Ruby Street Grille, Tavares
LONIE CARTER Lake Veterans Club, Tavares
10/24 @ pm
TRACKSIDE BAND Crossroads 44, Eustis
10/4 @ pm
OCT
31
GREG PANDO Mojo Grill and Catering, Belleview
10/11 @ pm
FESTIVAL
GROOVE INFUSION Ruby Street Grille, Tavares
Spicy meat and music
10/11 @ pm
The BBQ and Blues Festival features some of the nation’s top BBQ rib competitors and also includes arts and crafts, food and beverages, and live music. Adult admission is $10; children 12 and younger free. A portion of the proceeds supports Boys & Girls Clubs of Lake and Sumter Counties. Oct 11-12 @ 10am-7pm; Oct 13 @ 11am-5pm / Lakeridge Winery, 19239 U.S. Highway 27 N., Clermont lakeridgewinery.com
MAD HADDER BAND Magical Meat Boutique, Mount Dora
10/12 @ pm JIMMY HUNTER DRUMS Lake Harris Hideaway, Tavares
10/12 @ 7:3pm THE HIGHWAYMEN Orange Blossom Opry, Weirsdale
10/12 @ pm DA BOYS Ruby Street Grille, Tavares
10/13 @ Noon
Let us help you get the word out! To have an event considered for the calendar, send a short text description along with a color photo (if available) 45 days in advance of event to: calendar@akersmediagroup.com or Lake & Sumter Style Calendar, P.O. Box 490088, Leesburg, FL 34749
THE BAND 2PM Yalaha Bakery, Yalaha
2ND FRI
Art in the Alley Features artists and performers on the sidewalks of downtown Mount Dora, 6-8pm
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Acoustic Music Hear local musicians free from 7-9pm at Leesburg Center for the Arts, 429 W. Magnolia St.
Open House 6-8pm Mount Dora History Museum, 450 Royellou Lane
L A K E A N D S U M T E R S T Y L E .C O M • O C T ' 1 9
10/17 @ pm
GREG PANDO Mojo Grill and Catering, Belleview
11/1 @ pm
10/25 @ 7:3pm SOUL SACRIFICE Orange Blossom Opry, Weirsdale
10/25 @ pm KINGS COUNTY Ruby Street Grille, Tavares
10/26 @ pm MAD HADDER BAND Puddle Jumpers, Tavares
11/2 @ 7:3pm JOHNNY ROGERS Orange Blossom Opry, Weirsdale
10/26 @ pm LONIE CARTER Crossroads 44, Eustis
10/26 @ pm DA BOYS Ruby Street Grille, Tavares
1ST SAT
Movie in the Park Free family movie starts at dusk in Donnelly Park, downtown Mount Dora.
DAN RODZ Oasis Saloon, Sorrento
Wine Tasting Stroll 6-8pm, Starts at Maggie’s Attic on Alexander Street and 4th Avenue.
2ND SAT
Food Truck N Flick Night Entertainment, Leesburg Towne Square.
4TH SAT
Classic Car Cruise-In downtown Eustis.
BOOK CLUB
‘Lilac Girls’ By Martha Hall Kelly. Survival at all costs is depicted in this World War II historical novel. STORY: DIANE DEAN
he illustration on the cover of “Lilac Girls” is of three women dressed in the fashion of the 1940s with hair coiffed and arms together walking into a foggy scene. The pleasant cover belies the horrors endured by those people held for medical experimentation at the Ravensbrück concentration camp. This first book by Martha Hall Kelly was published in 2016 and is often a discussion selection for the Bookworm Book Club in The Villages. The author’s research spanned 10 years, resulting in this historical fiction novel offering a perspective of women during and after World War II. The three main characters’ points of view are offered as
the chapters intertwine. Caroline is a New York socialite, Kasia is a courier for the underground resistance, and Herta is a physician. Though the characters’ development may be lacking in some spots, the descriptions of Nazi atrocities are hard to get out of a reader’s mind. Brenda Yaffe recently led a Bookworm Book Club discussion of the novel. Readers could find no justification for what was done to the prisoners. Were some of their oppressors forced to participate so they could survive themselves? Herta, as a young doctor, may have started that way, but eventually she claimed the subjects were political prisoners and sentenced to death anyway, as if that justified her role in crippling surgeries. The discussion covered the personality of German residents, Japanese
internment in California during WWII, and the suggestion that sometimes the only resistance a person can have is in supporting one another. Comments offered a reflection on human rights in our current times and forgiveness being about healing yourself, not the person who wronged you. It is the way to move on with life. A frequent traveler informed the group that all German students now visit a concentration camp as a lesson on how to look at our world and develop a moral center. “Lest we forget” is a grim reminder statement. The “Lilac Girls” title is a reference to lilac flowers blooming best after a harsh winter. Resilience after surviving adversity is a positive message within the book. The 2019 book by the author, Kelly, is a prequel to this novel and titled “Lost Roses.”
Ready to delve into this book?
This highly acclaimed book can be found at amazon.com and goodreads.com
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LOCAL TALENT
EVENTS
A taste of American folk music The Lake County Folk Festival moves through the city of Eustis with a local duo. STORY: LEIGH NEELY
he popular Lake County Folk Festival is coming in November to Eustis and features a local duo: Smithson and French. Singers and songwriters Paul Smithson and John French perform American folk music in venues throughout Florida. The two are prolific with their music, spending a lot of time in the studio recording new material, according to their website. They especially enjoy performing at festivals, benefits, house concerts and special events. A finalist in the Broward Folk Club’s 2019 South Florida Songwriting competition, Paul wrote his song “91 Days” as an homage to Lawton Chiles, the former U.S. senator and governor of Florida. The
song placed second in the Will McClean Music Festival’s Best New Song Contest. Paul also tied for fourth place with “The Last Train Out of Fernandina.” The 22nd annual Lake County Folk Festival is scheduled from noon-8pm Oct. 5 at Alexander Park and several indoor venues. The indoor venues are a new format for the event and include the Bay Street Theater, Porter’s Camera and Frank, Wine Cellars Uncorked, along with the Alexander Jam Tent. The unique music festival also is the longest-running free festival in Central Florida, says Kathy Wallace, one of the organizers. “We’re excited to have several indoor venues for listeners to enjoy music,” she says. “And don’t forget, there also is a funniest song contest that is open to the public.”
Other performers coming to the festival include 2PM, the trio of Pete Price, Pete Hennings, and Mike Jurgensen; Chuck Hardwicke, who people say writes songs that are “images of Florida;” and Doug Spears, a fifth-generation Florida native who is a troubadour storytelling and performing songwriter. In addition, you can hear Frankie J and the Chicken Parade, Hard to Port, Jackson Creek, as well as the duo of Jerry Mincey and Tony Maculoso. The program finishes with the Lake Eustis Area Dulcimer Players, Lauren Heintz, Medi Carr, Michelle Ingrham, Mike Worrall, Peters Roads Swamp Blues Band, the 502s and the Ashley Gang. “A jam tent where everyone is invited to bring their instruments and voices to play and sing along will be in Alexander Park,” Kathy adds. “This is always a good time.”
Know someone who would be a good candidate for local talent? Contact chris@akersmediagroup.com.
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STAR POWERED
NEAR & FAR
Visions of Bavaria TR AVEL
Creating an alpine village in Georgia may have sounded ludicrous in 1969, but 50 years later, Alpine Helen is one of the hottest—and coolest—travel destinations. STORY: MARY ANN DESANTIS PHOTOS: MARY ANN DESANTIS AND PROVIDED BY THE ALPINE HELEN & WHITE COUNTY CVB Chattahoochee River
Downtown Alpine Helen
f celebrating Oktoberfest in Germany is not in your budget this year, you can still get an authentic taste of Bavaria without leaving the American South. Alpine Helen, Georgia, is a picturesque village complete with cobblestone streets, Old-World towers, gingerbread-style buildings and a monthlong Oktoberfest celebration that rivals any of those found in Germany. Now officially called Alpine Helen, the small, north Georgia town on the Chattahoochee River is an amazing Downtown Alpine Helen transformation story. Like many other small Southern towns in the 1960s where industries had left or declined, Helen had seen better days. But a small group of community leaders got together and discussed ways to improve the town, which in 1968 consisted of 10 buildings. Hoping to increase tourism in the area, they talked to Georgia artist John Kollock about adding some “color” to Helen. John, who had been stationed in Germany with the U.S. Army, had fallen in love with Bavaria. The Blue Ridge Mountains around Helen reminded him of Europe. He took pictures of the buildings and returned to his studio where he “alpinized” the exteriors in drawings. “The business owners paid to have their own building facades changed to fit the Alpine Bavarian theme that Kollock had shown in his drawings,” says Jerry Brown, executive director for the Alpine Helen/White County Convention and Visitors Bureau. Work began in January 1969 and by September of that same year, Alpine Helen hosted its first promotional event: the Chattahoochee Trout Festival and Alpine Hoedown. The vision paid off, because today the area receives more than 1.6 million visitors annually and is the third-most visited city in Georgia, behind Atlanta and Savannah, according to Jerry. October is a popular time to visit because of the fall foliage and one of the town’s biggest events: Oktoberfest. The 49th annual Oktoberfest celebration is already underway (it started in September) and will run through Oct. 27. Kegs of German beer flow at the Fussen Biergarten at the Festhalle, located on Edelweiss Strasse, just off Main Street. From oompah bands to Prost, German music fills the air, not only in Festhalle but in most of the bars and restaurants around town. Getting authentic German cuisine is easy all year with four German restaurants in the area. That’s among 29 restaurants overall, but when in town, you definitely want to try a pastry or
Work began in January
1969
and by September of that same year, Alpine Helen hosted its first promotional event: the Chattahoochee Trout Festival and Alpine Hoedown.
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NEAR & FAR
a gigantic pretzel at Hofers Bakery & Café, which is owned by one of the town’s German families. For dinner, head over to the Bodensee Restaurant, where master chef Auril Arodan prepares German specialties, including “tafelspitz” (slow-cooked beef) and “holzfaellersteak” (pork loin). Auril and his wife, Doina, emigrated from Baden-Wuerttemberg about eight years ago after visiting Helen and realizing the town needed a finedining German restaurant.
Octoberfest Parade
Helen Square
IF YOU GO
Hardman Farm
Octoberfest Bier Garden
ADVENTURES AND ART
While downtown Alpine Helen is a great place to experience German culture and cuisine, the other important draw to the area is nature. On sunny days, the Chattahoochee River is filled with people lazily floating on tubes right through the downtown area. The newest attraction is the Georgia Mountain Coaster, which opened last summer. This unique ride heads up a mountain ridge and back down through switchbacks and roundabouts before dropping riders back in downtown Helen. The rider controls the speed, so it can be as breathtaking as your courage will allow. But after all that delicious German food, you may need a hike on one of several trails inside the Unicoi State Park, only two miles from Alpine Helen. I opted for a hike to the stunningly beautiful Anna Ruby Falls, a pair of twin waterfalls that cascade in tandem to a boulder-filled creek. The half-mile paved trail is child-friendly, strollerfriendly and dog-friendly. Alpine Helen/White County has done an excellent job of promoting the authentic sites near town. The Hardman Farm State Historic Site is
GETTING THERE The main route in and out of town is Georgia State Route 75 (not Interstate 75). Alpine Helen is located 102 miles northeast of Atlanta International Airport.
Tommy Martin
an educational experience for all ages. “Hardman Farm was years ahead of its time and very innovative,” farm manager Will Wagner shares with visitors on guided tours through the home that still contains original 18th-century furniture. The most unexpected fun happens at Nora Mill Granary, where Tommy Martin has been grinding grits and cornmeal for four generations. “Keep your nose to the grindstone,” Tommy yells as he feeds the grinder and explains why the term came into use. “You never want to smell the (grinding) stone in your grits.” Featured on the Food Network a few years ago, the Nora Mill Granary supplies thousands of pounds of grits to restaurants throughout the country, and especially Florida. The guided tour is well worth the time. Art lovers will enjoy visiting the Folk Pottery Museum and the Gourd Place, both located in nearby Sautee, Georgia. The Sautee Nacoochee Arts Center features works from 47 juried artists in the area and attracts more than 47,000 visitors annually. No matter which adventure you choose, it’s just what Helen’s visionary leaders imagined for their beloved town 50 years ago.
Mary Ann DeSantis is a freelance writer, a member of the Society of American Travel Writers and a fellow of the Symposium for Professional Wine Writers, Napa Valley. Contact her at maryann@akersmediagroup.com.
AC C O M M O D A T I O N S If you are going to Helen only for a day or two, you will find many well-known hotel brands right in town, making it possible to walk just about everywhere you want to go. However, if you plan to stay several days, you may opt to stay at one of the nearby lodges or resorts. The Unicoi State Park and Adventure Lodge offers not only a recently renovated lodge but also unique barrel cabins. It takes a minute to get used to the rounded ceiling and walls, but the fully appointed cabins offer unparalleled views of the lush forests and streams. If your vacation needs to include golf, then the luxurious Valhalla Resort Hotel next to the Innsbruck Golf Course is the place to be. The resort offers a stay-andplay package for the course, which stretches for more than 6,500 yards in the shadow of the Chattahoochee National Forest.
MARY ANN DESANTIS
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SOCIAL SPOTLIGHT
EVENTS
November in Paris Leesburg hosts the annual Fashion Designers Showcase and Modeling Competition. STORY: LEIGH NEELY
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“WE DO THIS EVENT BECAUSE WE BELIEVE IN THE ARTS.” aris comes to Lake County with a colossal replica of the Eiffel Tower in Leesburg Towne Square. Leesburg will be in the fashion spotlight Saturday, Nov. 9, during the seventh annual Fashion Designers Showcase and Modeling Competition called “Champ de Mars.” Champ De Mars is the beautiful public area with grass and plants between the Eiffel Tower and the Ecole Militaire in Paris. Guests will start arriving at 6pm for the red-carpet walk. That’s followed by a VIP Soiree at 7pm. Doors open at 8pm for the public, and the runway show is at 8:30pm. One of the most exciting parts of the evening will be the opening, which will feature Police Chief Rob Hicks and other members of Leesburg law enforcement taking the runway to begin the show. However, that’s not all. The after-party begins at 10:30pm to celebrate an evening of fashion, celebrities and models. The event is presented by Bella Faire Event Planners, a certified international event and wedding planner based in Leesburg. All proceeds will go to the Leesburg Center for the Arts and VMAX For One Community Inc. Vonda and Max Parker, co-owners of Bella Faire and VMAX, head up the event and are pleased to bring this extraordinary talent and exciting production to Leesburg. Vonda is driven by lyrics from one of her favorite Whitney Houston songs, “I believe the children are our future. Teach them well and let them lead the way.” “We do this event because we believe in the arts,” Vonda says. “We believe
—V O N D A PA R K E R
fashion, modeling and boxing fall into that category. These three programs demonstrate the artist within.” Fashions presented during the evening are from one emerging designer and four couture designers. Katie Baldwin is one of the featured designers. From Los Angeles, Katie has worked with a number of well-known designers and companies. This year, a modeling competition has been added to the program. Eva Kovacs will be the lead judge. A former model and movie actress, Eva was one of the first supermodels for haute couture. She introduced lines for such well-known fashion stars as Aldo Gucci, Coco Chanel, Oscar de la Renta, Hubert de Givenchy, Yves Saint Laurent and Gianni Versace. Now a resident of Howey-in-the-Hills, Eva spends much of her time writing and working with writers. She was profiled in the 2018 ExtraOrdinary issue of Style. “We know there are no coincidences in life. Thus, by chance, Vonda and Max saw the story about me in Style and she was thrilled to find someone in town with my experience,” Eva says. “We hit it off immediately because I found something in her, an excitement that came with a rare passion, and her energy vibrates to lift this community to enable the youth to feel inspired.” Leesburg Center for the Arts is dedicated to providing educational opportunities in the arts for all
ages. From its summer camps to the weekly Open Studio and Haiku Jam—Coffee and Convos in the Gallery, the organization provides a space for anyone who wishes to participate in cultural arts. These activities include all types of painting, music and exhibits from local artists. VMAX For the Community is a nonprofit that helps young people who want to be models learn the skills needed for the competitive industry. These include training, development and character-building elements of the profession. Work with the young people also includes building self-esteem and developing core values.
IF YOU GO
FASHION DESIGNERS SHOWCASE AND MODELING COMPETITION 2019
8:30pm Saturday, Nov. 9 Leesburg Towne Square on Main Street
Want to see your event in Social Spotlight? Contact us at least three months in advance and provide all the details to chris@akersmediagroup.com.
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HI, SOCIETY!
Dan Lambert and Johnathan Pauli
Wendy Burkett and Paul McPherson
Marjorie Knapp and Michelle Heister
Sophie Schurr, Shawn Schurr, and Wendy Burkett
Chloe Phelps, Daniel Phelps, Hannah Phelps, and Lydia Phelps
Pam Saucerman, Kelly Armstrong, Regan Armstrong, and Tim Armstrong
R OW, R OW, R OW YO U R B OAT ≈ PHOTOS: DOUGLAS TYLER. The second annual Lake County Rowing Association’s Cardboard Classic was held in early August in Clermont. Participants built their boats to their own designs and specifications but according to rules set by the association. The boats were all cardboard with the exception of some paint and lots of duct tape. The beauty of the contest is it doesn’t matter if the boats float, sink or win, the point is to have a great time on the water.
See all the photos for this event at lakeandsumterstyle.com/hisociety
Alison Strange & Phoenix Strange
@ CLERMONT
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E 'S WHER ?! M Y P IC
along with
presents the
L A S
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Nov. 8, 2019 5:30 pm
T
C O U E N K E R IFF H
Lake Receptions
to benefit Lake County Sheriff’s Charities, Inc.
S TA F F OF D W. JOR DA
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SO F
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O LAKE C
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I AV D
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CONSTRUCTION & DEVELOPMENT, INC.
INDIVIDUAL TICKETS
obtained from the Division of Consumer Services by calling toll-free 1-800-435-7352 within the state. Registration does not imply endorsement, approval, or recommendation by the State.
HI, SOCIETY!
Chris Troutman, Abigail Lopez, and Caleb Brooks Chad and Jenn Farnsworth with Bill and Mindy Mathias
Michelle Michnoff with Gwen and Paul Johns
Joe and Sabrina Ciceri Scott and Diane Kornegay
Vicki Paynter, Christine Iozzi, Sonja Vicchiollo
A BENEFIT FOR B OY S A N D G I R L S @ MISSION INN RESORT & CLUB
Tonya Porter and Janyce Wagner
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≈ PHOTOS: DOUGLAS TYLER.
The Electrical Works Black and White Ball for Boys & Girls Clubs of Lake and Sumter Counties was held at the Mission Inn Resort & Club in Howey-in-the-Hills. As any ball should, the evening included a premium open bar, live and silent auctions, special performances by club members and post-event dancing. In addition to Electrical Works, presenting partners included Disney, Florida Cancer Specialists and Jenkins Auto Group.
See all the photos for this event at lakeandsumterstyle.com/hisociety
Olga White, Brooke Rodriguez, Leesa Hodges, Julie Kleffel
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HI, SOCIETY!
Sue and Ken Bragg
Irving Garcia, Caiden Johnson, Matthew Waybright, Fox Fessenden, Jacob Moore, Miguel Avalos, and Altereque Baker
Erika Greene, Yolanda Green, and Alexandra Sanchez
Robbie Robison and Jeff Moore
Jason Paynter, Jimmy Adams, and James Floyd
Jason McCray and Cindi Falanga
Wylie Hill, Susan Adams, and Chuck Shoop
M O R E T H A N C L A S S R O O M S T U DY @ LEESBURG ≈ PHOTOS: ANTHONY RAO. Ten students from Leesburg High School Construction Academy broke ground for their home-building project with Habitat for Humanity Lake-Sumter. The student workers were chosen based on their skills and teamwork. Jim Ellwood is the instructor. The lot where the students are working is at 107 N. 12th St. The students are excited for the challenge of the task and looking forward to gaining more experience and skills in construction work.
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See all the photos for this event at lakeandsumterstyle.com/hisociety
Anthony Sabatini, Dan Roebuck, and Michael Randolph
E 'S WHER ?! M Y P IC
RETIREMENT SALE!
70
Liq Ret uid irem ati en on t Sa le!
%
OF
F
dear customers; It has been a great honor and pleasure to have served you the past 30+ years. Thank you! However the time has come for me to tend to my health and my family more than ever. This Retirement Sale, our biggest sale yet, will be held in our beloved store located in the downtown square of Ocala and must liquidate all of our inventory. Please come in early for the best selection and unbelievable savings on these magniďŹ cent, hand-made rugs, personally handpicked from all over the world. Forever grateful, Bahram Cyrus Assary
Cyrus Rug Gallery 352.629.3200 20 se broadway st., ocala, fl cyrus-rug.com
HI, SOCIETY!
Maureen Roy, Florian Bnaud, Estevan Orhan, Deborah Lagny, and Marie Kersuzan Danielle Stroud
Don Magruder, Lewis Duke, and Mike Manly
See all the photos for this event at lakeandsumterstyle.com/hisociety
Garrett Kelley, Cole Chancey, Ashley Hess, David Rautzahn, Brandy (home owner), Adade Hartfield, Nic Fernandez, Trey Jones, and Michael Goodridge
Barry Martin and Shari Kuck
B U I L DI NG F O R T H E F U T U R E @ LADY LAKE ≈ PHOTOS: NICOLE HAMEL. Habitat for Humanity LakeSumter and The Villages Charter School Construction Academy have joined forces to build a home at Orange Circle and Lemon Street in Lady Lake. The groundbreaking ceremony was recently held for the second home the academy will help build. There are five high school seniors working on the project during two morning class periods, and more seniors working during afternoon class hours.
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Brandy
E 'S WHER ?! M Y P IC
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HI, SOCIETY!
Amy Heath
Cindy Brown and Claudia Casey
Kayla Herman, Jessica Wood, and Jan Swedenbarg
Jo Magram and Ralph Bischoff
Ribbon Cutting
Arlene Bence
S TAT E - O F -T H E -A RT H O S P I C E H O U S E @ THE VILLAGES HOSPICE HOUSE ≈ PHOTOS: NICOLE HAMEL. Featuring 12 private suites and high-tech amenities in a home-like setting, The Villages Hospice House offers a comfortable, peaceful place for people who may not have the support they need at home. Chuck Lee, president and CEO of Cornerstone Hospice & Palliative Care, was on hand for the ribbon-cutting of the house, which is an expansion of the The Villages Hospice House campus. More room for patients means more volunteers are needed. Call Heidi Gaumet at 352.751.3110 for information.
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See all the photos for this event at lakeandsumterstyle.com/hisociety
Chuck Lee and Erin Garcia
E 'S WHER ?! M Y P IC
BUILDING UNIQUE POOLS “They built the pool to perfection, and the finished design was better than we ever imagined. The superintendent was willing to answer all our questions before, during, and after the project. Although we have been swimming in the pool for three months, we can still call him with any questions. Wiseman Pools went above and beyond, and the pool is functional and works like we want it to.” —SCOTT STEPHENS, LAKE PANASOFFKEE
We know that every single customer is unique—Building Unique Pools is our company motto—and so every project we undertake is delivered to a client’s signature set of personal tastes and, where necessary, solves any challenges their property may present. 352-431-3766 | www.WisemanPools.com | 1517 W Main St., Leesburg 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.
HI, SOCIETY!
Bryan and Krysta Smith
David Jordan, Doug Akers, Wayne Davenport, Chip Gannaway, and Dean Simmons Alexandra Hammond and Clarence Tibbs
Nancy Woodard, Amie Duffy, Kristen Wood, and Jim Vogel
G L A M I N T H E B O O T I E CA M
Bootie
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@VANN GANNAWAY CHEVROLET ≈ PHOTOS: DOUGLAS TYLER. Vann Gannaway Chevrolet and the Home Builders Association of Lake-Sumter held a networking event recently. The fun included interactive stations, lots of great food and apparently lots of laughs with the VG Bootie Cam. Each member had an opportunity to highlight his or her company with the unique Bootie Cam. Check it out on the Vann Gannaway Facebook page. Don’t worry, however, no booties were harmed during filming.
See all the photos for this event at lakeandsumterstyle.com/hisociety
Tamara Hutto, Garin Callos, Crystal Callos, and Rusty Seely
E 'S WHER ?! M Y P IC
An Independent Licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association
Let our Medicare experts help you find a plan that meets your needs Attend a Florida Blue Medicare seminar in your neighborhood to learn more. Get answers to your questions and find out about our new plans that provide the benefits that matter most to you.
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LEESBURG Hampton Inn / Leesburg 9630 US 441 Wed, Oct 30- 10:00a & 2:00p
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LEESBURG Hampton Inn/ Leesburg 9630 US 441 Wed, Nov 13- 10:00a & 2:00p
For accommodation of persons with special needs at meetings, call 352-259-0666 Florida Blue Medicare is an HMO plan with a Medicare contract. Enrollment in Florida Blue Medicare depends on contract renewal. HMO coverage is offered by Florida Blue Medicare, Inc., DBA Florida Blue Medicare, an Independent Licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association. Tivity Health and SilverSneakers are registered trademarks or trademarks of Tivity Health, Inc., and/or its subsidiaries and/or affiliates in the USA and/or other countries. We comply with applicable Federal civil rights laws and do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, disability, or gender. ATENCIÓN: Si habla español, tiene a su disposición servicios gratuitos de asistencia lingüística. Llame al 1-855-601-9465 (TTY:1-877-955-8773). ATANSYON: Si w pale Kreyòl Ayisyen, gensèvis èd pou lang ki disponib gratis pou ou. Rele 1-855-601-9465 (TTY:1-800-955-8770). © 2020 Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Florida, Inc., DBA Florida Blue. All rights reserved. Y0011_97580_M 0919 CMS Accepted
Belle of the ball Dancin’ Ballroom is poised to become the largest dance studio in Florida. PAID PROMOTIONAL FEATURE
CHRIS AND NICOLE MCCAIN
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ancin’ Ballroom in Leesburg is preparing to move in mid-November into a newly renovated and more spacious 8,221-square-foot venue with 6,500-square-foot dance floor, much to the excitement of the studio’s growing number of students and dancers—ranging from teenagers to 88-year-olds—aficionados of the waltz, foxtrot, swing, tango, mambo and cha cha. The studio’s new home will be in the Publix Supermarket plaza at Shoppes of Lake Village, 10601 U.S. Highway 441, near Lake Square Mall. “Since I’ve taken over the studio, we’ve moved from the mall to the current location, and now we’re moving again because we’ve outgrown this location to become the biggest ballroom dance studio in Florida,” says owner Chris McCain, who has run Dancin’ Ballroom since 2014. “The main reason we are teaching people to dance is not for the competitive part of it, but for the social dancing. We teach people how to dance properly and look good when they go out social dancing,” Chris says. Even those who take the beginner group classes can learn to do more than just rock back and forth on the dance floor. The studio offers private lessons, group classes and public dance parties.
“The best compliment as a teacher and an owner is seeing a transformation of a personality through ballroom dancing, someone who has come in here from the loss of a loved one, a divorce, and finds joy and confidence again,” Chris says. It happened in his life. In 2010, Chris went through a divorce and chose to learn ballroom dancing as a social activity. “It allowed me to forget about troubles and create happy endorphins in my brain again. It allowed me to be around positive people with the same interests, and socialize in a good, clean environment instead of going to bars to hang out,” Chris says, recalling he struggled—at first—in learning the dance steps.
“I just had to persevere, persevere and push through until finally I fell in love with it, and it made sense. I was hooked,” says Chris, who also found love through dancing. “Sometimes, when you’re not looking, God sends you somebody,” he says, glancing at Nicole, a nurse at South Lake Hospital whom he met five years ago when she came to the studio for lessons. “It was love at first fall,” Chris jokes of meeting the pretty divorcée during a group class. “I sprained my ankle and made a fool of myself. Since she’s a nurse, I had to milk that a little bit of ‘Oh, my ankle!’” The pair bonded, started dating and, several months later, began dancing
together in pro-am dance competitions. They were married three years ago. Nicole had been a dancer in high school, dancing jazz, lyrical and contemporary dances. However, she found ballroom dancing to be more technical. “But I love it!” she says. “Dancing is my therapy.” The studio works with bridal couples who want choreography for their first wedding dance. Dancin’ Ballroom’s new venue will be available for rentals on weekends for weddings and receptions. It can hold up to 250 people and will feature a bridal room and private parking; people may use a licensed and insured caterer of their choice.
Meet the Dancin’ Ballroom instructors and staff
Jazmyn “Jazzy” Durgin
David Whittaker has been
has competed in ballroom dance competitions all over the country for the past 10 years, and her favorite dances are the cha cha, samba, paso doble and jive. “I get a total adrenaline rush off of ballroom dancing. I like the performing aspect of it and I have always loved being creative,” says Jazzy, who began teaching at Dancin’ Ballroom in June. She leads the beginner group dance classes on Monday and Tuesday nights. “It’s a great way to meet people. You can come in with two left feet and you can leave with a right and left foot!”
dancing for more than 50 years, starting with high school musicals, followed by becoming hooked on disco dancing in his 20s. He won disco contests and was a regular on the television show, “Super Disco,” which led him to teach dance through Arthur Murray studios. “I enjoy being here because I have seen so many people over the years whom I helped start out on their dancing paths, and it’s really rewarding for them to get the benefits from it like I did.” David’s favorite dances are the waltz and hustle.
Jakob Preston began at Dancin’ Ballroom five years ago. “Ballroom dancing happened when a friend from theater needed a partner. She had started an internship here and invited me to tag along. I wound up enjoying it and ended up being hired.” His favorite dances are the “faster-paced dances” of the West Coast swing, rumba and cha cha. Jakob is thrilled by the larger space in Dancin’ Ballroom’s future home. “More people are dancing and they’re seeing that it is a fun thing to do,” he says.
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Atanas Pavlov has been dancing for 30 years, teaching for more than 20, and he has won numerous dance competitions since age 10. Growing up in Bulgaria, he was the Bulgarian Dance Champion in Ballroom in 1995-96. “It was a great feeling and a lot of hard work,” Atanas says. “It’s in my heart to do international Latin, but honestly, I think the American smooth dances are the most beautiful.” Atanas began teaching at Dancin’ Ballroom in June. He made the move to Florida with his wife, a pharmacist in Daytona Beach.
Phillip Hollifield has been dancing since 1968, when
Joan Sanfilippo, the administrative assistant for
Stuart Palmer is the newest face at Dancin’ Ballroom, serving as general manager. He’s involved with business development and training. His dance background includes dancing for Arthur Murray studios in his 20s and managing a Minneapolis studio. “Chris and Nicole are wonderful people and they have a good mix of ambition and humility, and the teachers here are good,” Stuart says. “I’m excited the new facility is a multipurpose facility and able to serve more people. Some people come here needing solutions, some people come here needing an escape, and some come here because they always wanted to dance. I really enjoy helping people reach their goals and their dreams.”
Dancin’ Ballroom, has been dancing for eight years. “I was a banker all of my life, on the mortgage side,” she says, adding her banking career crumbled with the 2008 downturn. “Dancing gave me a whole new life,” says Joan, who loves the rhythm dances and has been in eight dance competitions. “There is no downside to dancing. It is good for your health, it’s good for your mental health, and you meet great people, friendly people. Dancing is just good for your soul and your body.”
he was 16. “I answered an ad in the newspaper that said, ‘Wanted: Dance teachers, no experience necessary. We will train.’” He’s been dancing ever since. He adores the waltz and cha cha, and one of his favorite quotes is from Fred Astaire: “Most people think good dancers are born that way. They’re not. They’re taught and trained … If you can snap your fingers or tap your foot in time to music, you can dance.” He enjoys interacting with students during private lessons. “A joy has been watching people’s faces light up when they get it.”
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352.319.6767 / ballroomdancingleesburg.com / 10700 Hwy 441 Suite #104, Leesburg
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DISCOVER SOMETHING NEW FOR YOUR KITCHEN, GET THE SCOOP ON EATING OUT, AND TOAST THE WINE! | FOOD. DRINKS. REVIEWS.
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IN THE KITCHEN Crave Bakehouse makes healthy doughnuts.
FORK ON THE ROAD Courthouse Subs and Pub is on a roll.
SALUTÉ German wines go equally well with Oktoberfest.
DINING GUIDE Our area restaurants appeal to all tastes.
IN THE KITCHEN
RECIPE
A healthy, happy sweet tooth Crave Bakehouse, a producer of nutritious doughnuts, wants to ‘make your taste buds sing.’
ven the healthiest of eaters would need incredible willpower once inside a doughnut shop. Nicely arranged in a display case are those sweet, plump, frostingcovered circles of dough. The eyes wander to the Boston cream doughnut, then to the glazed, then to the ones frosted with vanilla and covered in rainbow sprinkles. The stomach growls and the mouth waters. They’re fluffy, sweet, and inexpensive. They’re also calorie bombs. The average glazed doughnut contains 240 calories, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Not to mention there’s very little nutritional value.
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What’s a health-conscious doughnut lover supposed to do? If you’re Barbara Cook and Alyssa Gorospe, you turn your love of doughnuts into a business—with a guilt-free twist. As owners of Crave Bakehouse, located at 303 N. Grove St. in Eustis, they’re making doughnuts that are gluten-free, sugar-free and diabetic-friendly. Their products are compatible with the Paleo diet, which focuses on healthy, whole foods, and the ketogenic diet that encourages participants to consume less than 20 grams of carbohydrates daily. They opened their company in July. Within one month, they found themselves shipping 1,550 doughnuts each week to consumers across the country who desire the food’s warm,
soft sweetness without the fat, calories and sugar of traditional recipes. Some of the flavors offered include: blueberry cake (3 net carbs), cinnamon sugar (2 net carbs), frosted chocolate cake (4 net carbs), chocolate peanut butter drizzle (4 net carbs), glazed pumpkin spice (2 net carbs), orange coconut (3 net carbs), butter pecan (3 net carbs) and lemon poppy streusel (3 net carbs). Each is made with coconut flour instead of all-purpose flour and is infused with coconut oil, natural sweetener, baking powder, eggs and xanthan gum, a common food additive that stabilizes ingredients from separating. Curbside pickup is offered for locals. They ship to most states with the exception of Alaska, Hawaii, and Puerto Rico. Half a dozen doughnuts range from $18 to $23, and
Photos: Anthony Rao
STORY: JAMES COMBS
“THANKS TO OUR DOUGHNUTS, HEALTHY PEOPLE CAN STICK TO A LIFESTYLE OF WELLNESS WITHOUT MISSING OUT ON THE TASTY TREATS IN LIFE.” —BARBARA COOK
When it comes to doughnuts, Barbara Cook, left, and Alyssa Gorospe, provide a hole-some alternative.
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IN THE KITCHEN
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A LY S S A’ S O N E B OW L G I N G E R B R E A D PU M PK I N LOA F A no-fuss keto loaf loaded with fragrance and buttery crumb. Perfect as a filling breakfast, but add frosting, glaze or vanilla ice cream and you have a fall-ready dessert fit for entertaining. INGREDIENTS
1
cup almond flour
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cup coconut flour
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cup low-carb sweetener
5
eggs
8
tbs. melted butter or coconut oil
1
can pumpkin puree
1
tsp. baking powder
1
tsp. salt
2
tsp. ground ginger
1
tsp. ground cloves
2
tsp. cinnamon
DIRECTIONS
In a large bowl, mix all dry ingredients. Create a well in center of bowl and drop in all wet ingredients. Whisk beginning from the inside out, then whisk all ingredients together until well combined. Pour into a greased 9x5 loaf pan. Bake until toothpick comes out with only a few crumbs but not completely clean; 45-55 minutes at 350 degrees. Allow to cool on stove top for 12-15 minutes for easy slicing.
personalities and skill sets. Barbara is the extrovert and astute businesswoman who formed several startup companies and also served in the financial services industry for large corporations Conversely, Alyssa is the quiet, self-described
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“foodie” who’s perfectly happy behind the scenes making doughnuts that are new and different. They proudly refer to themselves as the “dynamic duo.” “I’m the entrepreneurial brain,” Barbara says. “I study trends on what other countries are doing with sugar-free products and then I bring ideas to Alyssa
to see if she can bring them to life. Alyssa is so talented, and I could not do this without her. The respect and admiration for each other is mutual and that is what has made us a dynamic team.” Before doughnuts are shipped, they must pass the “wow factor” test established by Barbara and Alyssa. That means family members and customers serve as taste testers and provide honest feedback. Some, like the frosted chocolate cake, might
Doughnuts and bakery photos: Anthony Rao
shipping for one dozen doughnuts cost $3.95. “There’s a very big niche for this,” says Barbara, a resident of Eustis. “Thanks to our doughnuts, healthy people can stick to a lifestyle of wellness without missing out on the tasty treats in life. Our doughnuts won’t affect insulin levels and won’t cause people to gain weight.” The business partners met several years ago when Barbara began experiencing elevated blood-sugar levels. Unwilling to give up baked goods, she searched the internet and came across Alyssa, who was using healthy ingredients to make cookies, bagels and cupcakes out of her Sorrento home. “I was very impressed because her products were healthy and delicious,” Barbara says. “It really piqued my interest.” So much so that Barbara began conducting research and realized there were few companies in the United States making doughnuts to satisfy special dietary needs. As a result, she decided to carve out her own unique niche and start such a company. With admittedly limited baking skills, she asked Alyssa to become her business partner. That turned out to be a wise decision, as they complement each other’s
“NO PRODUCT WILL EVER LAND IN THE HANDS OF A CUSTOMER IF IT HASN’T PASSED OUR WOW FACTOR. THERE’S REALLY NO POINT BAKING SOMETHING HEALTHY IF IT DOESN’T TASTE GOOD.” — A LY S S A G O R O S P E
be spot-on. Others, like the cinnamon sugar, might need a little more sweetness. Alyssa adjusts and moves on to the next batch. “No product will ever land in the hands of a customer if it hasn’t passed our wow factor,” Alyssa says. “There’s really no point baking something healthy if it doesn’t taste good. We’re striving for
perfection, and I think that’s why our products have been well-received. The number of referrals and repeat customers are proof of that.” Although their current production facility is not open to the public, the owners are excited about reaching more locals with their products.
In October, they are opening a small space inside the Mount Dora Marketplace where visitors can sit down and enjoy their healthy doughnuts. “This location will be retail only with no baking,” Barbara says. “We’ll still bake the doughnuts at our production facility and bring them to our Mount Dora location. This
gives us an opportunity to take advantage of everything Mount Dora has to offer and collaborate with other smallbusiness owners.” And it just might open the eyes of some people who thought one thing was impossible: that the words “healthy” and “doughnut” can now go together in the same sentence.
Does this story make you hungry for more?
If you know of other bakers or chefs that we can profile, contact james@akersmediagroup.com
JAMES COMBS
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FORK ON THE ROAD
REVIEW
It’s only opening and closing remarks There is no trial to eating at Courthouse Subs and Pub, but the verdict may be guilty of filling you up! STORY: LEIGH NEELY
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≈ FOOD PHOTOS: ANTHONY RAO
here’s nothing illegal about eating at Courthouse Subs and Pub, but you’ll find plenty of attorneys and an array of judges of good food. One thing you’ll note right away: all the servers wear T-shirts with the scales of justice on the back, but fortunately there’s no weigh-in. The menu at the popular restaurant in Tavares (right across from the Lake County Courthouse) is great American food and some surprises like Wisconsin cheese curds and Courthouse Fries, which come with ground beef, mozzarella cheese, jalapeños and sour cream… and that’s just the beginning. According to Abby Swanson, manager of the restaurant, the sub sandwiches are the most popular items on the menu. “We use French batard bread, and it holds up. Even if you take half your sandwich home with you, it still tastes good tomorrow,” Abby says. “We have a pizza oven in the back, and everything is fresh every day.” Customers also love their fish fry on Fridays, happy hour from 3-7pm and other events like poker night on Tuesdays and bingo on Wednesdays. There are daily specials that are not typical menu items. The day we had lunch, the daily special was chicken ranch fries and they were very good. We enjoyed the great flavor of fried chicken on French fries drizzled with ranch dressing. There was also ranch on the side for dipping. If you’re there on a day when this special is served again, do try it. After a great start to our meal, Anthony Rao, our photographer, had the hot Cajun chicken sub. It’s loaded with spicy Cajun chicken, pepper jack cheese, banana peppers and Cajun mayo. Anthony said it was just spicy enough to enjoy the spices and flavors. It was a large sub, and he was glad to hear
the bread was good the next day because half went home with him. Staff writer Theresa Campbell had a Courthouse Burger with cheese and pasta salad and pronounced it delightful. I enjoyed the crispy fried fish sandwich with tartar sauce and cole slaw. Like Anthony, I could eat only half of mine, but that just meant I had two great lunches from one meal. The fish is white and flaky and served grilled or fried. The menu also includes Tex-Mex dishes like nachos and quesadillas, salads and soups, and cold sandwiches like tuna or chicken salad, the Italian Stallion, and the All American. We couldn’t leave without getting dessert so you’d know they have a chocolate cake to die for. It’s moist and delicious and includes two big strawberries. Wonderful! Randy Connor and Denny Mulholland are owners of the trendy restaurant that
features historic Lake County photos as part of the décor. “This was Randy’s idea to steer it toward business professionals who want to stay downtown to eat,” Abby says. “Sarah Robertson is the kitchen manager, and she’s very creative. She comes up with the daily specials and makes sure they’re really good.” Danny Sharff was enjoying a meal with some coworkers. “I had a really good chicken salad wrap,” he says. “I like it
here because of the décor and the great service.” Courthouse Subs and Pub wants to be more than a lunchtime stop. “We’re still trying to build our dinner crowd,” Abby adds. “We’re open till 9, and we have the special nights that are a lot of fun.” The restaurant, which opened May 1, also can be rented for special events on weekends. “We’ll cater any kind of event from rehearsal dinners to birthday or retirement parties,” Abby says.
Courthouse Subs & Pub
505 W. Main St., Tavares / 352.253.4663 / courthousesubsandpub.com Hours: 11am-9pm Mon-Fri; closed Sat, Sun and all courthouse holidays
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Building a great workspace Happy employees at Fresh Made Kitchen are the key to happy customers. PAID PROMOTIONAL FEATURE
red Karimipour brings a lifelong passion to creating truly memorable culinary experiences. He was a young man when he realized food is not only something that we eat but also something that is nourishing, comforting, fun, pleasurable, and stimulating. “I knew what I wanted to do with my life when I was 10 years old,” Fred says. “I was fascinated by the restaurant business. I knew food made people feel good, and that brings a tremendous amount of satisfaction. The giver gets more than the receiver.” Fred parlayed his love of food into a lucrative career. Today, he is owner of Fresh Made Kitchen, the parent company of seven restaurants in The Villages. They include Bluefin, Chop House, Orange Blossom Hills, Evans Prairie, Belle Glade, Bonifay, and Scooples Ice Cream Parlor. Venture into any of them and you’re likely to be greeted with warm smiles and friendly hellos. There’s a reason for that. Fred stands out as a generous gem of a restaurateur who cares not only about his customers but also the staff who waits on them. With nearly 40 years in the industry, he understands the skills and qualities one needs to rise above the pack and achieve greatness in a highly diverse and competitive industry. One crucial lesson he has learned is this: Inspiring the best from
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“THE FOUNDATION OF OUR SUCCESS IS SIMPLE, IT’S HOSPITALITY. WE’RE HERE TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE IN PEOPLES’ LIVES BY BEING HOSPITABLE.” —FRED KARIMIPOUR
his staff is every bit as critical as offering stunning ambiance and serving up delicious food. After all, it’s the staff who creates the customer’s first impression, as well as the customer’s entire dining experience. Moreover, the staff will determine whether customers return or not. “The foundation of our success is simple,” Fred says. “It’s hospitality. We’re here to make a difference in peoples’ lives by being hospitable. We’re hospitable first to our employees, which then translates into being hospitable toward our guests. If you treat employees well, then you’ve built a strong culture and everything is going to fall in place.” That strong culture he alludes to includes a managerial team who have been working together for more than 20 years. They keep day-to-day operations running smoothly and keep his restaurants functioning efficiently and cost-effectively. As a result, Fred goes above and beyond to keep them.
Fred Karimipour
He offers his hourly and managerial staff paid time off and provides them with dental, vision, and health insurance, as well as a 401(k) retirement plan. Also, many of his managers got to where they are the oldfashioned way: by working up the ranks. “Many people on our leadership team started here as hourly employees and have been involved in every function of the restaurant—including dishwashing, line cooking, serving, and bartending,” he says. “And we’ve all done those functions together. When you’ve come up in the ranks you understand the effort it takes to do your job properly. Therefore, you appreciate the hard work of your employees that much more.” Next time you work up an appetite, be sure to try one of the restaurants owned by Fresh Made Kitchen. You’re sure to enjoy a memorable and wonderful dining experience because all the pieces fall into place—outstanding food and superior customer service.
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SALUTÉ
D RINK
Gutswein of Germany Beer steins will sway during Oktoberfest, but some people will take a lighter approach and celebrate with German wines. STORY: MARY ANN DESANTIS
here is a lot of misconception about German wines. Many people, including me, have spent decades thinking all wine from Germany is sticky sweet. Many of us probably remembered our 1970s encounters with syrupy Liebfraumilch. And then there is the false assumption that the best German wines are white. Buying any wine can be difficult when you don’t know much about the terroir where the grapes are grown or the quality of the producers. Unfortunately, because I vaguely remember those German wines of my college days— like Liebfraumilch and Blue Nunn—I have not spent much time sampling them. Looking through the shelves of German wines was an education, and thanks to a patient wine consultant, I learned a few things. The Deutschland is indeed known for producing quality white wines, especially rieslings, but I have discovered excellent red wines by German producers. Most recently,
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a 2016 Graf Neipperg Pinot Noir produced in Schwaigern, Germany, in the Stuttgart region caught my eye in a Lady Lake wine store. Quite frankly, I had to be coaxed into buying this $20 bottle by the wine consultant, who said it was one of his favorites. Germany hasn’t exactly been known for its pinot noirs, but today it is the world’s third-largest grower of pinot noir grapes, just behind France and the United States. In addition, winemakers in Schwaigern have been making wine a long time—since 799 to be exact. While the region is more noted for rieslings and pinot meunier, Schwaigern has already planted 1,700 hectares of pinot noir grapes. The Graf Neipperg was an excellent choice to pair with Alaska salmon. It was silky and complex, and if I’d been tasting blind, I would have guessed incorrectly it was from France. Not surprisingly, several wine experts have rated this wine in the 90s on a scale of 100. This is definitely a wine I’ll buy again… if the enthusiastic wine consultant doesn’t sell it all. A discussion of German wine is not complete without mentioning
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TAST I NG NOTES DEFINED
Trocken This is the word you want to see on the label if you like dry wine. Trocken is the classification for dry wines on German varietals. An off-dry wine is “halbtrocken” while “lieblich” is sweeter. However, for German sparkling wines, known as “Sekt,” trocken can be confusing. It actually indicates a higher level of sugar in sparkling wines than it does for still, or non-sparkling, wines. A “Sekt trocken” is off-dry or semi-sweet; a “Sekt brut” is completely dry.
riesling, described by many connoisseurs as the “aristocrat” of white wines because of its crisp, juicy and distinctive mineral taste. Rieslings pair extremely well with foods that are not always considered wine-friendly, such as spicy Asian or Cajun dishes, which is the thing I love about them. Rieslings range from bone dry to dessert sweet, and it is not always easy to know which one you are buying. Check the label for the International Riesling Foundation’s (IRF) Taste Profile, which many
wineries now print on the back of bottles to help consumers know what they are buying. Wineries determine the degree of sweetness according to a set of technical guidelines and reflect it on the IRF dryto-sweet scale. If it’s not on the bottle label, chances are it will be on the store shelf where you buy the wine. A wine connoisseur I know recently recommended the Kruger-Rumpf Estate Riesling Trocken 2016 from the Nahe River Valley. The wine had great aroma and was quite
citrusy for a riesling, but I caught a touch of peach or stone fruit on the finish. The Kruger-Rumpf was an excellent complement to spicy sausage balls. Highly rated, this estate wine is a bargain at about $19. Celebrating Oktoberfest often includes raising a stein of dark German beer, but wine can be just as festive and delicious without as many calories. Whatever you are drinking, raise your glass and say, “Prost!” as if you were in Germany.
THE E GRAP E EAG L VDP GUTSWEIN So how do you know if you are getting a high-quality German wine? Look for the classification symbol of the VDP logo, a stylized eagle bearing a cluster of grapes. The Verband Deutscher Prädikatsweingüter (VDP) is the oldest national association of premium-wine estates, founded in 1910. The eagle logo guarantees the wines are handcrafted from the highest quality grapes in Germany’s best wine estates. Currently, only 200 elite producers are granted permission to use the logo on their bottles. Producers are extensively checked every five years, and they can be demoted from the association. Both the Graf Neipperg Pinot Noir and the Kruger-Rumpf Estate Riesling Trocken displayed the VDP Gutswein symbol, which denotes a regional wine good for everyday drinking. Grand Cru wines can receive the higher classification: the VDP Gross Lage.
Mary Ann DeSantis has written for Lake & Sumter Style since 2006. She is a member of the Society of American Travel Writers and a fellow of the Symposium for Professional Wine Writers, Napa Valley. Her travel and wine articles have won several first-place awards from the Florida Press Club. Contact her at maryann@akersmediagroup.com
MARY ANN DESANTIS
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DINING GUIDE
dine
OUT Whatever your favorite dish, you can find a great place that serves it in this area. Check out what's nearby or take a little drive to a new place! Denotes locations where you can find Lake & Sumter Style
A S TAT U L A Race Car Diner 25641 Monroe St. 352.253.6940 ASTOR Blackwater Inn Williams Landing 55716 Front St. 352.759.3802 Castaways Restaurant 23525 US SR 40 352.759.2213 Sparky’s Place Restaurant 24646 SR 40 352.759.3551 William’s Landing 55716 Front St. 352.759.2802 BUSHNELL Chuck’s Odd Cuples Café 117 W Belt Ave 352.568.0408 Hong Kong Restaurant 2229 W CR 48 (352) 568-8888 Howie’s Family Restaurant 840 N. Main St. 352.793.8582
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TJ’s Family Restaurant 412 W. Belt Ave 352.793.8877
Friar Tuck 16640 Cagan Crossings Blvd. 352.404.6818
CLERMONT
G’s NY Pizza 12346 Roper Blvd. 352.243.8900
801 City Grille 801 Montrose St. 352.394.6911 Akina Sushi Bar & Asian Fusion Bistro 4300 S. U.S. Hwy. 27 352.243.8988 Calabria Ristorante 13900 CR 455 407.656.5144 Cheeser’s Palace Café 707 W. Montrose St. 352.404.9431 Corelli Italian Restaurant 1042 E. Hwy. 50 352.989.5924 Devenney’s Irish Pub 16909 High Grove Blvd. 352.432.3925 El Cerro Restaurant 811 W. Hwy. 50 352.241.9884 Flippers Pizzeria 2523 S. U.S. Hwy. 27 352.242.2214
Green Garden 1790 E. Hwy. 50 352.243.2077 Guru Restaurant 2400 S. Hwy. 27 352.241.9884 Legends Grille & Tavern 1700 Legendary Blvd. 352.243.1118 Lilly’s on the Lake 846 W. Osceola St. 352.708.6565 Napolis Pizzeria 556 S. U.S. Hwy. 27 352.243.7500 Robata Japanese Steak House & Sushi Bar 1500 Oakley Seaver Dr. 352.404.9688 Root and Branch Bistro and Bar 1200 Seaver Dr. 352.708.4529 Sanctuary Ridge Bar & Grille 2601 Diamond Club Road 352.243.0411
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Sarah’s Greek Cuisine & More 16640 Cagan Crossings Blvd., Ste. 305 352.404.8031 The Crooked Spoon Gastropub 200 Citrus Tower Blvd. 352.404.4808 Troy’s Cuban & Deli 1200 Oakley Seaver Dr. 352.241.4295 Uncle Kenny’s BBQ 157 Hwy. 27 352.394.1225 EUSTIS 1884 Restaurant & Bar 12 East Magnolia Ave. 1.800.856.1884 Combat Café 1602 N. Hwy. 19 352.483.0250 Haystax Restaurant 15439 Hwy. 441 352.489.0510 Jeannie’s Place 209 E. Gottsche Ave. 352.359.0027 Kiku Japanese Steakhouse & Sushi Bar 15211 U.S. Hwy. 441 352.483.8288
King’s Taste Bar-B-Que 503 Palmetto St. 352.589.0404 LaCabana Mexican Bar and Grill 2060 S. Bay St. 352.357.4600
Stavro’s 3223 U.S. Hwy. 441 352.315.0028 The Rose Plantation 200 Rose Ave., Fruitland Park 352.805.4340
Nalan Sultan Mediterranean Grill 1 N. Eustis St. 352.357.4444
G R OV E L A N D
NightOwl Caribbean Restaurant 929 S. Bay St. 352.589.0256
Ikaho Sushi Japanese 7965 SR 50, #900 352.557.8988
Stavro’s & Sons of Eustis 2100 W. CR 44 352.589.9100 Taki’s Pizza House 2824 S. Bay St. 352.357.0022 Thai Sushi America 925 N. Bay St. 352.357.1949 The Crazy Gator 402 N. Bay St. 352.589.5885 The Great Pizza Company 23 E. Magnolia Ave. 352.357.7377 The Oyster Troff 936 N. Bay St. 352.357.9939 Tillie’s Tavern & Grill 31 E. Magnolia Ave. 352.602.7929 Tony’s Pizza & Subs 2760 E. Orange Ave. 352.589.9001
Coyote Rojo 214 W. Broad St. 352.557.8999
James Barbeque 262 W. Orange St. 352.557.4050 Lil Anthony’s Pizza 7965 SR 50 352.429.7499
Cousin Vinnie’s Family Sports Restaurant 10700 U.S. Hwy. 441 352.253.2442 Dance’s BBQ 1707 South Street 352.801.8885 Frank’s Place 201 N. 1st St. 352.323.1989
God Café 300 W. Main St. 352.801.7447
JB Boondocks Bar & Grill 704 S. Lakeshore Blvd. 352.324.3600 La Hacienda Restaurant 10400 CR 48 352.324.3910 Nicker’s Clubhouse Restaurant 10400 CR 48 352.324.2718 L A DY L A K E Bamboo Bistro 700 Hwy. 441 352.750.9998
352.750.3335
Rae Rae’s Restaurant 2468 U.S. Hwy. 441 352.323.1595
Chesapeake Bay Grill 4467 Arlington Ridge Blvd. 352.315.0066
H OW EY- I N THE -HILLS
Fruitland Park Café 3180 US Hwy. 441/27 352.435.4575
NY Deli N Diner 3325 U.S. Hwy. 441 352.365.0051
Cedar River Seafood 8609 S. U.S. Hwy. 441 352.728.3377
Gator Bay Bar & Grill 10320 CR 44 352.365.2177
El Ranchito 1 Lagrande Blvd.
Legends Cafe 2468 U.S. Hwy. 441/27 352.728.0006
Cafe Ola 400 N. 14th St. 352.365.0089
Red Wing Restaurant 12500 S. SR 33 352.429.2997
F RU I T L A N D PA R K
ibar-be-que Express 3170 Hwy. 27 352.315.4227
LEESBURG
Lady Lake Harbor Hills Country Club 6538 Lake Griffin Rd. 352.753.7000 Mom & Dad’s Italian Restaurant 504 S. U.S. Hwy. 441/27 352.753.2722 The Original Brooklyn Water Bagel Co. 514 Hwy. 441 352.614.9000
Great Chicago Fire Brewery & Tap Room 311 W. Magnolia St. 352.474.2739 HP Grill 1403 S. 14th St. 352.314.0006 Ichiban Buffet 10301 Hwy. 441 352.728.6669 Johnson’s Pizza Place 4120 Corley Island Rd., Ste. 300 352.801.7250 Kountry Kitchen 1008 W. Dixie Ave. 352.323.0852 La Palma Mexican Grill 1690 Citrus Blvd. 352.323.1444 Lilly’s Super Subs 2339 CR 473 352.343.4663 Magnolia’s Oyster Bar 201 W. Magnolia St. 352.323.0093 Mrs. T’s Place, Southern Restaurant 305 Pine St. 352.431.3217 Naples Italian Restaurant 1107 W. North Blvd. 352.323.1616
Osaka 1401 Citrus Blvd. 352.728.0788 Pine Street Bar-B-Que 408 Pine St. 352.728.1293 Plantation Oaks Restaurant 4720 Plantation Blvd. 352.530.2680 Ramshackle Café 1317 N. 14th St. 352.365.6565 Rodello’s Italian Restaurant 26736 US Hwy. 27 352.319.8093 San Jose Mexican 1337 S. 14th St. 352.805.4174 Sip Restaurant and Wine Bar 707 W. Main St. 352.435.7840 Stokes Seafood Market and More 719 W. Main St. 352.787.3474 Sully’s Smokehouse 10820 CR 44 352.483.7427 Takis Pizza Restaurant 1205 N. 14th St. 352.787.2344 Pint Sized Pub 110 S. 5th St. 352.460.0383 The Florida Porch Café 706 W. Main St. 352.365.1717 The Mojo Grill & Catering Co. 9925 US-441 352.787.0494 The Old Time Diner 1350 W. North Blvd. 352.805.4250
MASCOTTE Rainbow Restaurant 704 E. Myers Blvd. 352.429.2093 MINNEOLA Jack’s Barbecue 100 S. U.S. Hwy. 27 352.394.2673 Lil Anthony’s Pizza 205 N. U.S. Hwy. 27 352.394.1516 Minneola Grill 117 W. Washington St. 352.394.2555 Napoli’s Pizzeria 556 Hwy. 27 352.243.7500 The Surf Bar and Grill 650 N. Hwy. 27 202.527.0100 Tiki Bar & Grill 508 S. Main Ave. 352.394.2232 MOUNT DORA 1921 Mount Dora 142 E. Fourth Ave. 352.385.1921
J.K. Thai & Sushi 116 E. 5th Ave. 352.385.5470 Let’s Do a Maine Lobster Roll 426 N. Donnelly St. 352.735.3702 Magical Meat Boutique 112 W. Third Ave. 352.729.6911 Mount Dora Pizza & Subs 2718 W. Old U.S. Hwy. 441 352.383.5303 Olive Branch MediterraneanItalian Grille 115 W. 3rd St. 352.729.6734 One Flight Up Coffee, Dessert & Wine Bar 440 N. Donnelly St., Ste. 100 352.758.9818 Pisces Rising 239 W. 4th Ave. 352.385.2669 PizzAmore’ 722 E. 5th Ave. 352.383.0092
Anthony’s Pizza 17195 U.S. Hwy. 441 352.357.6668
Shiva Indian Restaurant 140A W. 5th Ave. 352.735.4555
Barnwood Country Kitchen & Smokehouse 3725 W. Old US Hwy 441 352.630.4903
Sidelines Sport Eatery 315 N. Highland St. 352.735.7433
Beauclaire Restaurant at Lakeside Inn 100 N. Alexander St. 352.383.4101 Bocce Pizzeria 925 E. First Ave. 352.385.0067 Café Gianni 425 N. Alexander St. 352.735.3327
Sugarboo’s Bar-B-Que 1305 N. Grandview St. 352.735.7675 The Bavarian Haus 433 N. Alexander St. 352.735.8387 The Country Club 1900 Country Club Blvd. 352.735.2263 The Goblin Market 331-B Donnely St. 352.735.0059
Turners 114 S. 5th St. 352.530.2274
Cody’s on 4th Cafe 111 E. 4th Ave. 352.735.8426
Two Old Hags Wine Shoppe 410 W Main St 352.435.9107
Copacabana Cuban Cafe 320 Dora Drawdy Way 352.385.9000
Whale’s Tale Fish House 2720 W. Old U.S. Hwy 441 352.385.1500
Vic’s Catering 352.728.8989
Frog & Monkey English Pub 411 N. Donnelly St. 352. 383.1936
Zellie’s Pub 4025 N. U.S. Hwy. 19A 352.483.3855
Highland Street Café 185 S. Highland St. 352.383.1446
SORRENTO
Wolfy’s 918 N. 14th St. 352.787.6777 Wrapsody 712 W. Main St. 352.801.7239
Jeremiah’s 500 N. Highland St. 352.383.7444
Del Franco Pizza Place 31436 CR 437 352.383.8882
Lisa’s Kountry Cafe 23911 CR 46 352.735.3380 TAVA R E S Angelo’s Italian Restaurant 2270 Vindale Rd. 352.343.2757 Fish Camp Lake Eustis 901 Lake Shore Blvd. 352.742.4400 Hurricane Dockside Grill 3351 W. Burleigh Blvd. 352.508.5137 Kalua Hale Sand Bar 111 W. Ruby St. 352.609.5910 Lake Dora Sushi & Sake 227 E. Main St. 352.343.6313 Mary’s Kountry Kitchen 15945 CR 448 352.343.6823 O’Keefe’s Irish Pub and Restaurant 115 S Rockingham Ave. 352.343.2157 Palm Gardens Restaurant 1661 Palm Garden St. 352.431.3217 Puddle Jumpers 111 W Ruby St. 352.508.5862 Ruby Street Grille 221 E. Ruby St. 352.742.7829 Sunrise Grill 462 E. Burleigh Blvd. 352.343.7744 The Hideaway 11912 Lane Park Rd. 352.343.3585
T H E V I L L AG E S Amerikano’s Grill 998 Del Mar Dr. 352.633.8027 Belle Glade Country Club 446 Moyer Loop 352.205.8208
Margarita Republic 1102 Main St. 352.753.4600
Bravo Pizza 1080 Lake Sumter Landing 352.430.2394 Cane Garden Country Club 1726 Bailey Trail 352.750.0627 Chengs Chinese and Sushi Restaurant 4050 Wedgewood Ln. 352.391.9678 China Gourmet III 343 Colony Blvd 352.750.4965 City Fire Brownwood & Paddock Square 352.561.2078
Mezza Luna Italian Restaurant and Bar 320 Colony Blvd. 352.753.3824
Fiesta Grande Mexican Grill 297 Colony Blvd 352.751.0400 Giovanni’s 3439 Wedgewood Lane 352.751.6674 Glenview County Club 3914 Glenview Rd. 352.753.0077 Habaneros Mexican Grill 3551 Wedgewood Ln. 352.633.2080
U M AT I L L A Fish & Chix 100 N. Central Ave. 352.669.7145 Gator’s 9 N. Central Ave. 352.669.6969 Greg’s Haystax 526 Umatilla Blvd. 352.669.1555 Old Crow Real Pit Bar-B-Q 41100 SR 19 352.669.3922
NYPD Pizzeria 4046 Wedgwood Ln 352.750.1994
Shanghai 531 N. Central Ave. 352.669.2004
Orange Blossom Country Club 1542 Water Tower Circle 352.751.4501
The Mason Jar 37534 State Rd. 19 352.589.2535
Palmer Legends Country Club 1635 Palmer Way 352.750.4499
W I L DWO O D
RedSauce 1000 Canal St. 352.750.2930
Evans Prairie Country Club 1825 Evan’s Prairie Trail 352.750.2225
Hemingway’s at Havana Country Club 2484 Odell Circle 352.430.3200
Legacy Restaurant Nancy Lopez Country Club 17135 Buena Vista Blvd. 352.753.1475
Ricciardi’s Italian Table 3660 Kiessel Rd. 352.391.9939 Sakura 265 Colony Blvd 352.205.7393 Takis Greek and Italian Restaurant 13761 U.S. Hwy. 441 N. 352.430.3630 The Lighthouse Point Bar and Grille 925 Lakeshore Dr. 352.753.7800 Tierra Del Sol Country Club 806 San Marino Dr. 352.753.8005 VKI Japanese Steakhouse and Sushi Bar 1004 Old Mill Run 352.259.9887
China Jade 420 W. CR 44 352.330.5913 Continental Country Club 50 Continental Blvd. 352.748.3293 Cotillion Southern Café 101 N. Main St. 352.748.1223 Los Magueyes Mexican Restaurant 346 Shopping Center Dr. 352.461.0577 O’Shucks! Oyster Bar and Grill 1016 S Main St. 352.399.2200 Traditions Café 3107 Hwy. 44 352.748.1077 Woody’s Bar-B-Q 1220 S. Main St. 352.748.1109 YA L A H A Yalaha Bakery 8210 CR 48 352.324.3366
Barnwood Country Kitchen & Smokehouse Barnwood Country Kitchen & Smokehouse features great meals from breakfast until dinner. Enjoy omelets, waffles, or country ham for breakfast. Try a Bad Dog Sausage Sandwich or Three-Meat Platter for lunch. If you go for dinner, there’s a smoked chicken, pork spare-rib, or beef brisket platter. Whatever you have at Barnwood, it’s fresh, homemade, and delicious! 3725 W. Old US Hwy 441 / 352.630.4903
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DINING GUIDE
Mom & Dad’s Italian Restaurant 352.753.2722 | 304 US-441, LADY LAKE
Open 4pm-9pm Wednesday through Sunday.
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.
Closed Monday and Tuesday.
Subway
Custom-made, fresh sandwiches, salads, and flatbreads made right before your eyes. The “healthy” alternative to fast food.
SUBWAY.COM LADY LAKE | 208 W. GUAVA ST. | 352.750.4929 EUSTIS | 469 PLAZA DR. | 352.357.7827 MOUNT DORA | 18870 U.S. HWY. 441 | 352.735.4376 LEESBURG | 2013 CITRUS BLVD. | 352.787.6442 10135 U.S. HWY. 441, SUITE 4 | 352.326.3234 27405 U.S. HWY. 27, SUITE 4 | 352.314.8847
Full Gluten-Free Menu
THE VILLAGES | 1580 BELLA CRUZ DRIVE | 352.750.9600 8796 S.E. 165TH MULBERRY LANE | 352.750.9991 1070 LAKE SUMTER LANDING DRIVE | 352.205.8535 349 COLONY BLVD. | 352.391.1657 WILDWOOD | 480 W. GULF TO ALANTIC HWY. | 352.748.8800
Would you like to see your restaurant in our dining section? CALL US AT 352.787.4112
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Fish, mussels, and more! Mom and Dad’s Italian Restaurant, a staple in Lake County, is now offering seafood. PAID PROMOTIONAL FEATURE
nside Mom and Dad’s Italian Restaurant in Lady Lake, a menu from 1967 is prominently displayed on one of the wooden tables. Back then, guests could order Spaghetti a la Bruzzi for $1.95, Delmonico steak for $3, and lasagna for $2.35. Those three items are no longer sold at such enticing prices, but inflation hasn’t killed their popularity. They continue to be the restaurant’s top-selling dishes. Now, new scrumptious dishes are being offered that may rival their popularity. As consumers try to eat less meat, owners Ricky and
Elainna Tucker have found a golden opportunity to fill the gap with fish, mussels, and scallops. They hope to make big waves by adding seafood to the menu, which for years was known primarily for its classic Italian dishes and steaks. Among the new dishes are a mussels appetizer, rainbow trout served with a side of angel hair pasta, and the Seafood Diablo, a mix of clams, mussels, shrimp, and scallops prepared in a spicy tomato sauce over linguini pasta. The Fruitti-de-Mare is similar to the Seafood Diablo but is prepared in a white wine, butter, and garlic sauce served over angel hair pasta. “We’re very excited to offer these seafood dishes,” Elainna says. “There’s a demand for it because people are wanting
to eat healthier. We want to meet their needs, and almost all of our dishes are available gluten-free.” The family has gone above and beyond to meet the needs of customers since Elainna’s grandparents, Giovanni and Columba Mattiucci, opened the restaurant in May 1962. To say Mom and Dad’s Italian Restaurant is a family love affair would be an understatement. Elainna’s father, Raymond Matiucci, operated the restaurant from 1963 to 2005. When he retired, Elainna left her job as a physical therapist assistant and Ricky left his construction job to take over the restaurant. Today, fifthgeneration family members work hard to preserve the legacy at Mom and Dad’s Italian Restaurant.
That includes Elainna’s granddaughter, Kaylin Grubb, a junior at Leesburg High School. “I’ve been coming here ever since I was 3,” Kaylin says. “At 8, I started busing and then I moved up to being a hostess. I’m proud to be part of my family’s tradition.” For Ricky and Elainna, it’s a labor of love. Although the restaurant doesn’t open until 4pm, they arrive five hours early to make homemade bread, sauces, ravioli, lasagna, and pasta. “We still cook Old Worldstyle, which means making everything from scratch,” Elainna says. “There’s so much history here. In fact, not long ago we served a couple who had their first date here and now are celebrating their 50th anniversary.”
MOM & DADS ITALIAN RESTAURANT Full Gluten-Free Menu 352.753.2722. / 304 U.S. Highway 441, Lady Lake / Open 4pm-9pm Wednesday through Sunday / Closed Monday and Tuesday.
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Presents PASSPORT TO
2019
Gala of Hope
October 25th 2019 ~ 6:30 PM to 10:00 PM Lake Receptions ~ Mount Dora
All proceeds benefit LifeStream’s Children & Family Services Tickets: $100/Person ~ Table Sponsor (8) $1,000 For more information, call 352.315.7527 or visit www.lsbc.net
~ THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS ~
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FINAL THOUGHT
Come on, get happy Simple activities can infuse your life with joy. STORY: THERESA CAMPBELL
o you ever feel like you’re walking on a tightrope, feel uneasiness about friends or family members’ challenges or have feelings of anxiety about changes in your personal or work life? Oh, believe me, I’ve felt it, too. Getting through tough challenges isn’t always easy. So, when a copy of “5-Minute Bliss—A More Joyful, Connected and Fulfilled You in Just 5 Minutes a Day” came to our office, I was immediately intrigued by the notation on the book cover stating that the inside pages were filled with 200-plus easy, happiness-boosting activities.
I needed some happy. And who doesn’t want a little more bliss? Reading the book was uplifting. I felt enlightened by some of author Courtney E. Akerman’s tips, including: Listen to your favorite song – Makes sense, right? Songs we love are great mood-boosters. Design your perfect day – This day could involve sleeping in late, planning to see a movie with a good friend, eating at a favorite restaurant, hosting game night with friends or planning a special dinner. “You’ll find that just planning your perfect day can give you a bit of the joy that living it would,” Courtney writes, and I find that’s so true. Just visualizing and picturing the feeling of really looking forward to a special moment can help you feel more joyful. I’ve noticed when I anticipate looking forward to my ballroom dance classes or the dance
parties, it makes the actual event more thrilling. Have you ever given yourself a compliment? That was another suggestion in the book. I told myself to keep smiling. That’s a great moodboosting feeling, and it seems that no matter one’s age, people always look happier and younger when breaking out in a grin. I’m also finding joy breaking out in a silly dance. Cloud-watching. Admiring a sunset. Putting my toes in the sand. Courtney suggests that coloring a scene in an adult comic book can be soothing, enjoyable and bliss-inducing. I haven’t done this yet, but it sounds like it could be ideal on a rainy day. Experiencing something new, the author says, is “an excellent way to ensure that you keep your life open to bliss.” That sounds good to me.
Hey, readers! Do you have a local hero that you want to know more about? Share with Theresa! Email me at theresa@akersmediagroup.com
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