Style Magazine, Village Edition, April 2023

ADVANCED ANDTECHNOLOGIESLEADING-EDGE BREAKTHROUGHS IN JOINT REPAIR AND REPLACEMENT.

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Innovation is key to improving outcomes. Our team of forward-thinking doctors collaborates to provide you with new treatments and exceptional patient-centered care. This, combined with access to the latest clinical research available through University of Florida Health, helps drive medical advances and move us all forward, together.

Learn more at central orida.UFHealth.org

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PLAZA CADILLAC

“I am very pleased with Plaza Cadillac. Escalades are extremely hard to find, but my salesman Jesse went out of his way to find the one I wanted. I will be more than happy to tell anyone about the excellent way I was treated.”

— MIKE KILLNGSWORTH

Jim Brill

Tony Pagano,GeneralSalesManager(left)

JesseKnapp,Salesperson(right)

PLAZA LINCOLN

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

Mike Killngsworth

ANTHONY AND ROSE CURIALE

Rose and Anthony Curiale

JayBitzer,Salesperson(left)

Tony Pagano,GeneralSalesManager(right)

036 Not just for acrobats

Want a little bit of air time? Then visit Soar Athletics, where aerial yoga takes fitness to new heights.

STORY: CINDY PETERSON

028

Reaching for better health

It’s no stretch to say that yoga’s combination of breathing, meditation, and movement brings numerous health benefits.

STORY: JAMES COMBS

Love me some Lake

Our little corner of the world is awesome

t’s April, a time of year when everything blooms. There’s certainly something blooming in my heart this month. It’s called hometown pride. For me, Lake County will always be home sweet home. I was born here, raised here, and have spent my entire life working here. Want to know why I love Lake County? Here are a few reasons:

Each community has its own identity. Tourist attractions in Mount Dora, bustling events in Leesburg, waterfront activities in Tavares, and the health-conscious options in Clermont make Lake a truly diverse county;

Lake County residents embody the true meaning of community spirit and would gladly give you the shirts o their backs if you needed it. We don’t have neighbors here; we have extended family;

Ample opportunities for the avid outdoor enthusiast. Love to sh? Enjoy hiking? Relish boating? Want to discover birding? With various preserves, nature parks, and more than 1,000 named lakes, Lake County has you covered; Wealth of events. Hold on to your handlebars because Leesburg Bikefest is not the only game in town. Pig on the Pond, the Mount Dora Arts Festival, and the Sunnyland Antique and Classic Boat Festival— the largest classic boat show on America’s East Coast—draw tens of thousands of visitors to the area. And Eustis’ GeorgeFest is the secondlongest-running festival of its kind in the country; Lake County is the perfect size. According to the 2020 census, Lake has a population of 383,956 and is the 17th-largest county in Florida (out of 67). Incredibly, some people

complain that Lake is still too small and lacks entertainment options. I wholeheartedly disagree. You cannot possibly drive through Clermont, The Villages, or Mount Dora and tell me there’s nothing to do here.

Yes, I’m a proud Lake Countian. And I’m proud to publish the only publication that highlights the county’s wonderful people, places, and events. It’s truly an honor and a privilege.

Have a happy Easter and I’ll see you next month!

Sincerely,

Kendra

Kendra Akers OWNER/PUBLISHER kendra@akersmediagroup.com

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DESIGN / PHOTOGRAPHY / EDITORIAL

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AT YOUR SERVICE

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CONTRIBUTING WRITER

Cindy Peterson Cynthia McFarland

Richard T. Bosshardt, MD Gina Horan

CONTRIBUTING EDITOR

Gary Corsair

CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHER

Cindy Peterson

SALES / MARKETING

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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 and Village Edition Style. 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.

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Head & Neck Cancer:

Cut Your Risk

Smoking (including secondhand smoke and smokeless tobacco, sometimes called “chewing tobacco” or “snuff”) is the number one risk factor for getting head and neck cancer. And people who use both tobacco and alcohol are many times more likely to get head and neck cancer than people with neither habit. Research has also shown that continued smoking by a patient with head and neck cancer may reduce the effectiveness of treatment and increase the chance of a second primary cancer.

RBOI is a member of the Tobacco Free Florida Partnership of Marion County. We support efforts to create tobacco-free environments and smoking cessation and prevention programs, especially those targeted to our youth. Wendy Hall, a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and Cancer Navigator at RBOI, is also a tobacco cessation specialist. Call her at 352-527-0106 for more information.

Did You Know?

Head and neck cancers are divided into five main types:

 Laryngeal and hypopharyngeal cancers occur in and around the voice box.

 Nasal cavity and paranasal sinus cancers occur behind the nose.

 Nasopharyngeal cancers occur at the upper part of the throat behind the nose.

 Oral and oropharyngeal cancers occur in the mouth, tongue, and the area from tonsils to voice box.

 Salivary gland cancers occur in the mouth glands that produce saliva.

Know Your Symptoms

Hoarseness and voice changes can be a sign of head and neck cancer; see your doctor if they do not improve within two weeks. Head and neck cancers can also start away from the vocal cords and produce other symptoms. The most common is swelling or a sore that does not heal.

Other symptoms include:

 Persistent sore throat

 Constant coughing

 Pain/difficulty chewing, swallowing, or moving jaw or tongue

 Ear pain/infection

 Trouble breathing

 A lump, bump, or mass in head or neck

 A red or white patch in the mouth

 Foul mouth odor not explained by hygiene

 Persistent nasal obstruction/ congestion

 Frequent nosebleeds and/or unusual discharge

 Double vision

 Numbness/weakness in the head and neck region

 Blood in saliva or phlegm

 Loosening teeth

 Dentures no longer fit

 Unexplained weight loss

 Fatigue

by the numbers

54,000

New diagnoses of head and neck cancer in the US estimated for 2022

More than 2x

Head and neck cancers are more than twice as common among men as they are among women

70%

Oropharyngeal cancers in the US caused by oral HPV infections

75 to 84

Age range during which oral cavity cancer most commonly occurs, although it may occur in adults of any age

The HPV Connection: Get

Vaccinated!

Human papillomavirus (HPV), the most common sexually transmitted virus in the US, has been playing an increasing role in head and neck cancers. About 25 percent of head and neck cancers have been linked to HPV infection, especially in oropharyngeal tumors, and the rates of these cancers in men in particular have escalated.

There are vaccines available to protect you from the HPV strains that cause head and neck cancer, and researchers have found an additional benefit to getting vaccinated. The more people who get vaccinated against HPV, the less the germ that causes it can spread, protecting people who have not been vaccinated. Between 2009 and 2016, rates of HPV vaccination in both men and women increased, while rates of oral HPV infection among unvaccinated men dropped by 37%.

Anil Chaturvedi, Ph.D., and Barry Graubard, Ph.D., of the National Cancer Institute’s Division of Cancer Epidemiology and Genetics, led the study. As Dr. Chaturvedi says, prevention of oral HPV infections today can prevent oropharyngeal cancers in the future.

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Inverness 352.726.3400

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PERSON OF INTEREST

Let’s get ready to tumble!

Tumbling coach Delaney Richter teaches her students everything from cartwheels to back tucks.

been celebrated for centuries in many cultures. American humorist Mark Twain made its meaning clear with this observation: “This is the day upon which we are reminded of what we are on the other 364.”

DID YOU KNOW?

Camp Boggy Creek, in Eustis, was founded in 1996 by actor Paul Newman and Gen. H. Norman Schwarzkopf. The camp provides fun- lled camp experiences for children age 7-16 with chronic or life-threatening illnesses. During week-long summer sessions, children camp with other kids enduring similar medical conditions. The family retreat weekends are therapeutic for children and their families since they’re able to spend quality time together outside of a medical setting.

LET YOUR DOG HAVE ITS DAY

April is also National Canine Fitness Month. Allow your dog to release all its pent-up energy at a local dog park. Lake County provides space for dogs to romp at North Lake Community Park in Umatilla, Lake Idamere Park in Tavares, PEAR Park in Tavares, Lake Hiawatha Park in Clermont, and Gnann-Thompson Memorial Dog Park in Eustis.

COOL JOE, MON!

BREATHING LIFE INTO DEATH

Je rey Wands, an internationally-acclaimed psychic medium/radio host/author, will speak at the Community Building in Mount Dora on April 14. He will deliver healing messages directly to audience members and remind them that our deceased loved ones are still with us. Call 352.455.3171 for more information.

The South Lake Chamber of Commerce, Give A Day Foundation, numerous community leaders and residents, were in Groveland Feb. 24 for the grand opening and ribbon cutting ceremony of local attorney Bridgette Bennett’s Reggae Café. The new addition overlooks Lake David and delivers co ee from the island of Jamaica (Bridgette’s homeland), plus other goodies. The co ee shop inside the new All Nations Building was designed by Bridgette to house her dream café and practice—the Bennett Law Center, LLC—at 302 W. Orange St., Groveland. For more information, follow Reggae Café on Facebook.

A NEW CHAPTER

The Community Foundation of South Lake recently introduced its new director Laura Michalski, who is excited to establish her roots in Clermont. Laura brings extensive leadership experience gained during more than 15 years as executive director at various non-pro ts. Her background includes expertise in growing non-pro t organizations and increasing community impact. Laura has won many awards for her accomplishments.

BREWING IN THE HORIZON

The Crooked Can Brewing Co. in Winter Garden has announced that it will build a new 40,000-square-foot brewery in Minneola. The facility will include a taproom, beer garden, ex lawn space for concerts and other outdoor events, headquarter space, and a food hall similar to the Plant Street Market anchored by its sister brewery in downtown Winter Garden. The Crooked Can Brewery will be located on three acres in the quickly emerging Hills of Minneola development near the Florida Turnpike exit o Hancock Road. The future venue is expected to bring upwards of 100 jobs to the area.

The City of Mount Dora will celebrate Earth Day on April 15, starting at 9:00 a.m., at Donnelly Park, 530 N. Donnelly St., Mount Dora. The free family-friendly event will include live music, exhibits, craft and plant vendors, yoga, educational workshops and much more. Event proceeds go toward purchasing and planting trees locally. For more information, call Janet Gamache at 352.217.2178X390 or email janet.gamache@gmail.com.

FANDOM FUN

The Leesburg Public Library will host a celebration of Anime and Manga at its second annual Anime Day on April 22, noon to 4pm. There will be a cosplay contest, anime streaming, gaming, artists, vendors, giveaways, and a question-and-answer session with a voice actor. Call 352.728.9790 for more information or contact Lake Hiawatha Preserve at 352.708.7085 ext. 975.

A CELEBRATION OF HISTORY

The 98th Howey-in-the-Hills Founder’s Day, set for May 6, 10am-3pm at the Howey Mansion, 1001 Citrus Ave., Howey-in-the-Hills, is free to the public. Guests are invited to enjoy self-guided mansion tours for $5 per person, plus 50+ artisan vendors providing food, art, crafts and more. For more information, visit thehoweymansion.com or The Howey Mansion on Facebook.

Delaney Richter

Tumbling into greatness.

INTERVIEWER: CINDY PETERSON ≈ PHOTO: NICOLE HAMEL

VITALSTATS

• 20 years old

• Cheering since age 12

• Self-taught tumbler

• Performed with Fuel Cheer & Dance in Central Florida

• Opened Xtreme Tumblers in September

I began Xtreme Tumblers when: During Covid, all the gyms closed down and kids all over were stuck bored at home with minimal exercise so I started o ering in-home private lessons. My list of athletes kept growing and it involved a lot of traveling all over Eustis, Mount Dora, Tavares and Grand Island. All the moms kept cheering me on and telling me I should open a brick and mortar location so I set out to nd an a ordable location in my own hometown.

I teach: Private tumbling lessons for beginners to level 5 tumbling, toddler tumble group lessons for ages 18 months old to 5 years old and schoolaged group lessons for ages 5 and up. I also have a homeschool co-op class during the day. We o er fun private gym birthday parties and Friday night glow parties.

I knew I wanted to open my own company when: In the summer of 2020 I found out I was allergic to almost all foods. It put me in a bad place for a while because I had to change basically my whole life. I decided I would have to start my own business where I can ensure nothing dangerous to my health would a ect me while I was still able to make a living nancially.

My greatest quality is: Patience. It's the number one compliment I get from all the parents. With a room full

of energized and excited toddlers and students that doubt themselves until they gain that self-con dence, it's the best quality to have.

A saying I live by: “Kindness costs nothing.”

My inspiration is: My mom. She drove me around day and night when I was doing private lessons for clients at their homes. She helped me to open the gym and has been there for anything I need; advice, experience, etc. I know it hasn't always been easy on her but she has kept me pushing forward and always supports everything I love.

My future plans are: Businesswise, I just want to prove to my athletes that they can do amazing things in the future. Lifewise, I really just want to be able to a ord a trip to Hawaii one day.

Know a person of interest? Tell us! Email your recommendation to editorial@akersmediagroup.com.

VITALSTATS

• Senior at South Lake High School

• Captain and goalkeeper of soccer team

I’d describe myself as: What you see is what you get. I’m a laid-back guy. I like to be around people, so I guess that makes me a people person. I’m ok with surprises but I do like to know what’s coming up next.

Inspirational words I live by: I am con dent in this verse found in Philippians 4:13, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”

In the future: talents as a goalkeeper to the collegiate level. I also like to x things and I’m pretty good with my hands, so maybe a profession that involves using my hands. For now, my focus is spending time with family and getting ready for graduation.

I look up to: There are several people I know who have really made an impact in my life. My parents have de nitely shaped me to be the person I am today. My Ama, Wela and Welo (grandparents) are an inspiration to me also and are what the American dream is truly about.

Topping my music playlist: “7 Summers” by Morgan Wallen.

• Kicker for football team

• Involved in church’s social media ministry

• 17 years old

Know an outstanding student? Fill us in! Email your recommendations

— LAKSHMI TRAMBAUER, YOGA INSTRUCTOR

Missy Minner, Yoga Student

Strike

a pose

ith calming yoga meditation music playing in the background, Missy Minner spends several days a week stretching her arms to the heavens, bending her ankles and feet, and twisting her body into a variety of poses.

Missy is a yoga student at One Yoga and Fitness in Clermont. She joined twoand-a-half years ago after balancing dual careers as a real estate agent and banker left her little time to engage in a meaningful exercise regimen.

Since then, Missy says she feels better from head to toe. Yoga poses such as the cat cow, the child’s pose, and the downward dog have

improved her strength, balance, and exibility. They also provide her with more energy, brighter moods, and increased mental clarity.

“I can breathe better, my posture is better, and I’m more energetic,” says Missy, a 47-year-old Clermont resident who attends yoga classes ve days a week. “I feel 100 percent better mentally and physically. And I love going to yoga class because it’s a quiet, soothing atmosphere.”

Yoga involves physical poses, concentration, and deep breathing. The practice began 5,000 years ago in northern India and was introduced in the United States in 1893. Today, 36 million Americans practice yoga on a regular basis according to the website yogaearth.com. Instructors in Lake and Sumter counties o er di erent styles of yoga.

Lakshmi Trambauer, a yoga instructor and owner of Eustis Yoga, says those who participate in yoga often feel a mind-body connection.

Yoga can tone and strengthen all the muscle groups, internal organs, and glands. People gain more exibility and balance. And unlike other exercises, it also helps with proper breathing techniques, relaxation, and meditation.

“My students de nitely enjoy both physical and mental bene ts,” Lakshmi says. “Some who joined my class with back issues no longer have to see a chiropractor. Others who were scheduled for hip surgery no longer need it. From a mental standpoint, I have students who tell me they no longer get angry with their co-workers. They’re more relaxed and calm.”

For 23 years, Lakshmi has introduced hundreds of students to yoga by empowering them to come to the mat as they are. People with physical health issues and/or little exibility are not turned away.

“You don’t need to prepare yourself to join a yoga class,” she says. “I

STORY: JAMES COMBS X PHOTOS: NICOLE HAMEL

Yoga puts improved health, relaxation within reach.

BY THE NUMBERS

meet students where they are. Nobody is judging or competing. If you’re willing to simply show up, you’re most likely going to have a good experience.”

One of the classes Lakshmi teaches is ideal for beginners. The class, called gentle yoga, is performed at a slower pace and with less intense positions. The second class, Yoga For All, includes beginners and more advanced yoga students. Both classes end with breathing techniques and a period of guided relaxation.

“I always remind people that these are not just exercise classes,” Lakshmi says. “They’re about overall wellness.”

In recent years, yoga has evolved, with instructors bringing a variety of animals to classes, including goats, cats, bunnies, and other furry friends. Participants can do a downward dog pose with dogs, a cat cow pose with cats, and a horse pose with a horse. And performing yoga with animals is not just about the cuteness factor. A study conducted by the National Institute of Health (NIH) found that human interaction with animals boosts moods, leads to more positive social interaction, and lessens stress and anxiety.

People come to Chase Sanctuary and Wildlife Conservancy in Webster to practice yoga with lemurs. These animals, which are native to Madagascar, are friendly and social, making them the perfect yoga companions. The nonpro t sanctuary began o ering yoga with lemurs two-and-a-half years ago as a fundraiser. Yoga classes are o ered for $75 at 9:30am each Saturday.

These curious primates touch your arm, sit on your feet, and jump on your head.

“It’s de nitely a di erent kind of experience,” says Nina Vassallo, coowner of the sanctuary. “Most people who come here have never been around a lemur. They love to watch these animals do their own natural poses while warming their bellies in the sunshine.”

This unique encounter provides two natural mood-lifters: being around animals and performing yoga.

“Some people cry because it’s such a moving experience,” Nina says. “Others are just ecstatic to be around an animal they’ve never seen before. The lemurs will come down and visit people who are on their mats, then go back up in the trees, and come back down for a second visit.”

“I MEET STUDENTS WHERE THEY ARE. NOBODY IS JUDGING OR COMPETING. IF YOU’RE WILLING TO SIMPLY SHOW UP, YOU’RE MOST LIKELY GOING TO HAVE A GOOD EXPERIENCE. ”

—LAKSHMI TRAMBAUER, YOGA INSTRUCTOR

Another trend has emerged in yoga where instructors o er workouts in mid-air. At Soar Athletics in Eustis, Denise Lloyd teaches aerial yoga, where stretches and moves are performed several inches o the ground in a silk hammock suspended from the ceiling. She says it’s a great option for those who experience joint or spinal pain because they can perform deeper stretches without putting tension on their joint or back.

“Some steer clear of yoga classes because they can cause pain,” says Denise, a certi ed aerial yoga instructor. “With aerial yoga, they can stretch without having to endure pain.”

Denise has taught aerial yoga for four years, and currently o ers private lessons. She has discovered that some students nd it more enjoyable than groundbased workouts.

“They love swinging gracefully and uidly with their arms outstretched and twisting into various yoga poses,” she says. “Aerial yoga can be for everyone, regardless of whether they su er from pain or not. Aerial yoga is both restorative and relaxing.”

Whether performed on the ground, in the air, or with playful primates, yoga is improving mental and physical well-being for millions of Americans.

Missy, the yoga student from Clermont, will tell you that’s no stretch. She encourages everyone— regardless of their age or tness level—to try yoga.

“It’s not intimidating; you just have to be able to walk through the door,” she says. “So many people who are new to yoga nd that they enjoy the guidance of an instructor instead of wandering aimlessly around a gym.”

HEALTH BENEFITS OF YOGA

OF REGULAR YOGA PRACTITIONERS

WHO WERE SURVEYED:

86% FEEL A REDUCTION IN STRESS

69% REPORT A POSITIVE INCREASE IN MOOD

59% FEEL AN IMPROVEMENT IN SLEEP QUALITY AND QUANTITY

77% REPORT FEELING PHYSICALLY STRONGER.

37% WHO DRANK EXCESSIVELY AND/OR SMOKED CIGARETTES CREDIT YOGA WITH ENCOURAGING THEM TO STOP.

Source: yogaearth.com

Photo: Courtesy of Chase Animal Rescue

Denise Lloyd

Addy Fittro

Elevated exercise

Uplifting dance instructor no longer grounded.

oar Athletics owner Denise Lloyd indulged her passion at a competitive Orlando-area dance studio for 13 years before a chance encounter revealed her true calling, not on the dance oor, but above it.

Denise found new love after her best friend introduced her to aerial yoga (also referred to as anti-gravity

yoga), which is similar to traditional yoga, but with participants suspended in the air, supported by a hammock.

Denise initially found aerial yoga a little too slow paced for her taste, but fell in love with an aerial silks class she took shortly thereafter.

“I started taking classes four days a week, and about two years later, I was

STORY AND PHOTOS: CINDY PETERSON

McKenna Wilkins

performed aerial silks in Universal Studios’ daytime parade. At night, she did silks, lyra and partner lifts at the Pirates Dinner Adventure.

And then she landed her dream job performing at Sea World’s Blue Horizons show, where she auditioned three times before nally being hired.

“Goes to show to never give up on auditions,” Denise says. “You’ll get more noes than yeses, but persistence pays o .”

Unfortunately, Denise’s time at Sea World was short-lived because she became pregnant with her rst child. Leaving her dream job so soon broke her heart, but she was ecstatic about starting a family and continuing teaching and performing part-time.

Denise later had two more children and relocated to Lake County. She also got certi ed in aerial yoga and started teaching classes at a yoga studio in Mount Dora.

“I knew teaching aerial was a passion of mine that I wasn’t going to be able to live without,” Denise says. “I always thought that one day I could open my own studio but I never really believed it would happen.”

She later relocated to a Brazilian jiu-jitsu gym in Eustis with higher ceilings where she could o er more classes. There, her program continued to grow, and she eventually decided to open her own business – Soar Athletics.

“It was both terrifying and exciting,” Denise says of the decision. “That is where Soar Athletics began in 2019. We had outgrown the space we were renting from, then we relocated to where we are now o Hu stetler Drive. It was such a blessing and so surreal that all this was happening. I had my own building, business, and an aerial program to grow.”

Flying above the storm

The blessing soon became a series of challenges. 2020 was a di cult year for Denise, as she navigated a divorce and keeping her business a oat during the COVID-19 pandemic.

“I thought I was done,” Denise says. “Biggest mistake of my life. Fortunately, I had surrounded myself with some amazing people who are still coaches with me today.”

Denise and her coaches didn't give up. They found new ways to connect with students by having weekly competitions, private lessons over Zoom, and stayed in touch with their students as much as possible. Despite the challenges, Soar Athletics reopened once the world opened back up. And classes continued to grow.

Now, Soar Athletics o ers a variety of aerial classes, including silks, lyra, hammock, trapeze, and tumbling, all starting at a beginner level.

“We have a rule in our studio that you will hear in almost every class you attend – ‘can’t’ is not a word,” Denise says. “Whether you want to learn something new, get in better shape, or just have a good time, we’re here to help you accomplish your goals.”

Helping students shine

At the heart of the dance studio is a passion for helping students grow and ourish.

"It's hard to not feel like you’re one of us when taking our classes,” Denise says. “We work as a team and students will cheer each other on to keep going."

Watching students grow is a source of immense joy for Denise. “My favorite students are the ones that come in shy, barely speaking to anyone," she said. "But I've watched so many of them break out of their shells and become the loudest, most outgoing students we have. It's why I do this.”

Student Addy Fittro enjoys the all-around experience. “I love that the coaches are encouraging and continue to push students,” she says. “The aerial is an amazing experience. It’s hard work but you make many friends in the process of training, and it improves mental health as well as physical health.”

The studio has many exciting programs and initiatives underway. One of the most recent additions is the performance team, where students audition for a spot on the team, and perform a routine they choreograph themselves.

"Not only has this grown our students' skills, strength, and exibility, it has taught them team building," Denise says. "They practice as a team, they perform as a team, and they push each other as a team. It's an honor to watch."

Jessica Owens

Photo by: Nicole Hamel

THE BEAT GOES ON

FHV Health has a glorious past and even brighter future thanks to an innovative cardiologist named Dr. David C. Lew.

After opening his cardiology practice in Leesburg in 1991, Dr. Lew has transformed cardiovascular care in Lake County. Just consider his impressive list of “ rsts.”

He was the rst physician in Lake County to perform coronary balloon angioplasty and stenting procedures with outcomes as good or better than large academic centers throughout the United States. He was also Lake County’s rst physician to perform cardiac catheterizations, primary angioplasty, and coronary radiation therapy to prevent recurrence after stenting. In conjunction with vascular surgeons, he also performed the county’s rst abdominal aortic stent grafting procedure as an alternative to conventional surgery.

Two years ago, he achieved another milestone by merging FHV Health with Orlando Health. Today, the practice is called Orlando Health Medical Group FHV Health.

One could accurately say the merge has been a marriage made in heaven.

OHMG FHV Health now o ers better resources, better technology, better patient satisfaction, and more innovative cardiac techniques. Yet, because Orlando Health’s philosophy mirrors OHMG FHV Health’s philosophy, Dr. Lew and his team continue living up to their long-standing mission statement of “Integrity, Experience, and Compassion.” This has made for a seamless transition.

It’s understandable that patients may become concerned when a large acquisition like this takes place. Simply put, these patients are comfortable with OHMG FHV and worry whether they will still receive the same level of care. However, as previously mentioned, the philosophies of the two companies mirror each other. Therefore, the same reasons someone would choose OHMG FHV Health before are the same reasons why someone would choose OHMG FHV Health now. The only di erence is that OHMG FHV Health can now o er more innovation and more services. OHMG FHV Health did not lose its identity; the company gained a partner to

enhance its overall ability to provide outstanding patient care.

Longtime OHMG FHV Health patients can attest to this. In a survey, 80 percent answered “yes” to the following question: “Do you feel Orlando Health cares about you?” They have not seen a decrease in patient care but rather an increase thanks to the technologies Orlando Health has implemented. One such technology is MyChart, which allows patients to access their medical records, access test results, and request prescription re lls. This online tool helps patients better access their care and develop a more robust relationship with their physician.

OHMG FHV Health remains the same caring and compassionate practice it always has been. But today, the practice is better than ever.

skin elasticity, we can observe the stigmata of old age: nasolabial and marionette lines, jowl formation, and a turkey gobbler neck.

A PLASTIC SURGERY SPECIALTY BOUTIQUE

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

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

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

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

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

Hispanics of Lake County Association speaks language of empowerment.

STORY: CINDY PETERSON ≈ PHOTOS: NICOLE HAMEL

octor Roland

Nunez never dreamed he’d come up empty handed when he tried to post a job opening for a bilingual Spanish speaking person from the community.

The collaboration produced Hispanics of Lake County Association, a non-pro t that was chartered in August 2022.

The organization serves as the resource center for Hispanics in Lake County through workforce development, humanitarian outreach and multicultural awareness.

Here’s how Hispanics of Lake County intends to reach its three primary goals:

• Workforce development

To provide Hispanics with skills and talents by holding job fairs, o ering resume workshops, and providing English classes.

• Humanitarian outreach

Roland, who was serving as director of educational opportunity programs at Lake-Sumter State College at the time, discovered there was no network to connect the Spanishspeaking community.

“We saw a lot of ‘help wanted’ signs, and we wanted to get these Spanishspeaking individuals connected to the right resources and help give them the skills they need,” Roland says. He promptly got working with some of his peers to ll the void.

The organization is looking to address issues such as health and wellness, translation services, legal aid, and healthcare. Also, to connect various groups to address food insecurity in the community.

• Multicultural awareness

Promoting Hispanic-owned businesses and educating the community about di erent countries and their cultures to promote and celebrate the diverse cultures represented in Lake County, including the Hispanic community. The organization plans to collaborate with the Clermont community at the annual Sips and Salsa event, as well as host its own Hispanic Heritage Celebration.

The organization is countywide, with members representing the United States, Puerto Rico, Mexico and Brazil.

“We want to break the barrier and make everyone feel included,” Roland says. “We will o er English classes and Spanish classes for English-to-Spanish learners. Our goal is not just to serve the Hispanic community, but to connect everyone and encourage employers to get involved all over the county.”

The organization has held several events, including

a kick-o a air in Groveland and a bilingual college and career fair in Leesburg. A breakfast series is planned that will highlight various business owners and leaders in the community.

Hispanics of Lake County Association’s ve-year plan to grow the organization includes building a center where people can get connected to resources they need. The center will also house a consignment shop o ering authentic goods from other countries.

“Our board is excited, and we have reached out to people who have a passion for making a di erence,” Roland says. “We are looking for people who can roll up their sleeves and help out and share the message.”

To learn more, visit https://holca.net.

“We want to break the barrier and make everyone feel included.”

—DR. ROLAND NUNEZ

Photos courtesy of Hispanics of Lake County Association

Group on the left: Carmen Martinez, Katherine Rivera-McGill, Roland Nunez, Jessica Rodriguez, and Naomi Gonzalez-Freites

The comforts of home

f you are in need of a new hip, shoulder or knee, Advanced Orthopedics Institute (AOI) in The Villages is the place with the doctors and technology to get it done in the most convenient and bene cial way possible. That’s because while most patients of AOI’s Dr. Alfred J. Cook, Jr., and Dr. John T. Williams, Jr. can be treated without surgery, up to 80 percent of those who need a joint replacement of the hip, shoulder or knee can now have surgery in the morning and go home the same afternoon.

Benefits of Outpatient Joint Replacement:

• Recovery is in the comfort of your own home

• Reduces risk of infection and exposure to communicable diseases

• Pre/post-surgical education guides you through a successful recovery

Ideal Candidates are:

• Highly motivated and able to follow post-surgical instructions

• Generally healthy, active and independent

• Supported by a strong network of family and friends

First in Florida with MyMobility®

Advanced Orthopedics Institute was the rst practice in Florida to use Zimmer Biomet’s mymobility® with Apple Watch® app, which keeps patients connected to their surgeon and care team throughout this process to assist them in:

• Optimizing their health prior to surgery

• Learning what to expect the day of surgery

• Helping minimize complications after surgery

• Offering guidance toward regaining mobility

If hip, shoulder or knee pain is a ecting your quality of life and holding you back from participating in activities you once enjoyed, outpatient joint replacement surgery may be the solution.

We’re here to provide you with lifechanging relief, and now, with a new o ce on the horizon, the conveniences AOI o ers have never been greater. Look for more information about our new location in the months to come.

Advanced Orthopedics Institute’s surgical patients don’t need an overnight bag because in most cases, they’ll be home the same day.

PAID PROMOTIONAL FEATURE

Dr. Cook is among the nation’s leaders in shoulder surgery to restore rotator cuff function, performing more in a year than many orthopedic surgeons do in a lifetime. The majority of his shoulder replacements are now being done as outpatients.

These types of revolutionary procedures not only allow patients to recover in their own home, but are also helping patients who are “pseudo paralyzed” from their conditions return to the sports and activities they most enjoy.

“We see a high level of satisfaction among those who undergo outpatient shoulder replacement surgery. They are happy their pain has

been eliminated, and they’re excited when they have normal function again,” says Dr. Cook.

Dr. Cook is undoubtedly a pioneer in shoulder replacement surgery. He has worked with companies to help formulate superior implant designs that replicate normal anatomy.

Additionally, he has served as a surgical navigator using imaging systems to deliver precise representation of a patient’s anatomy during surgery, which allows for optimization of implant placement.

Imagine all that with no need for a hospital stay, which is now possible since Dr. Cook began performing outpatient shoulder

surgeries prior to the coronavirus pandemic.

Previously, patients spent two or three nights in the hospital following shoulder surgery.

“There are obvious advantages to outpatient surgery,” Dr. Cook says.

“When you’re not in the hospital, there’s a lower risk of infection after surgery.

Dr. Cook makes sure patients receive adequate after-care through regional anesthetics, pain medications, and physical therapy.

“The home creates an environment of success for patients,” Dr. Cook says.

Dr. Cook completed medical school at Northwestern University McGaw School of Medicine and a sports medicine and shoulder fellowship at Duke University.

Today, Dr. Cook serves as the chief of orthopedic surgery at UF Health The Villages Hospital and as medical director for TLC Surgical Center.

In his free time, he enjoys weight training, marksmanship, and tennis.

Also, having the ability to recover at home instead of the hospital gives patients peace of mind and makes recovery time easier.”

ALFRED

J. COOK, JR., MD

JOHN T. WILLIAMS, JR., MD

Dr. Williams is at the forefront of hip and knee replacements and revision surgeries nationally. As director of the Einstein Medical Center Total Joint Program, in Philadelphia, he introduced some of the mostadvanced surgical techniques available to reconstruct and replace hips in adults.

He now performs most of his total knee and hip replacements on an outpatient basis for patients who are good candidates If that’s not enough, Dr. John Williams has an outstanding personal assistant by his side when performing knee replacement. The assistant is, in a sense, a second set of eyes.

But this is no human. It’s a robot named ROSA.

ROSA is a robotic platform that takes a personalized approach to each patient’s knee replacement using a three-dimensional model created from special x-rays. The x-rays are matched to a patient’s knee to help deliver accurate placement of implants with less soft-tissue dissection. The robot’s computer technology, camera, and optical trackers assist Dr. Williams to control and move surgical instruments.

“This is state-of-the-art technology, and we’re excited to use it from a surgical perspective,” Dr. Williams explains. “Thanks to this technology, we can be more precise with the alignment and placement of implants. For patients, this leads to a more natural feeling of the knee.”

Dr. Williams has been using the ROSA Knee System at his practice, Advanced Orthopedics Institute, for more than one year. In the past quarter, he has performed more surgeries using the ROSA system than any physician in Central Florida.

The procedure comes with numerous advantages.

“For patients who undergo knee replacement using ROSA, we can safely send about 40 percent of them home on the same day,” he says. “Others may require a one-night hospital stay.”

In addition, recovery times are shortened thanks to a multi-modal approach that includes pain control medication, nerve blocks, and physical therapy. That’s great news for residents of The Villages who lead active lifestyles.

Dr. Williams completed medical school at Howard University and served as director of total joint replacement at Albert Einstein Medical Center in Philadelphia from 2000 to 2011. Today, Dr. Williams serves as chairman of surgery at UF Health The Villages Hospital.

In his spare time, Dr. Williams enjoys singing, bowling, and fishing.

“If you can’t move without suffering from pain, then your quality of life is limited,” says Dr. Williams.

THANKS TO THE OVERWHELMING SUPPORT AND TRUST THAT OUR COMMUNITY HAS GIVEN US, WE ARE EXCITED TO ANNOUNCE THAT AOI WILL BE MOVING NEXT YEAR! WE ARE MOVING TO A LOCATION THAT IS BEING BUILT TO BETTER SERVE OUR PATIENTS AND THEIR NEEDS!

352.901.6582

APRIL IS

Wings

Distracted driving is ANY activity that takes attention away from the task of driving. If a driver is not focused on the road, it significantly limits their reaction to impending hazards and the ability to avoid them.

Using a cell phone, interacting with other passengers in the vehicle, eating, adjusting vehicle systems all take your attention but texting is the most

Sending or reading a text takes your eyes off the road for at least 5 seconds. At 55 mph, it’s the equivalent of driving the length of a football field with your eyes closed. – per the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration

make the roadways of SAFER FOR EVERYONE. Keep both eyes on the road, your hands on the wheel, and your attention on your surroundings.

ask the e pert

Style has brought together a number of experts in the medical field to provide their expertise on everything you need to know.

PAID PROMOTIONAL FEATURE

Expert: LORI ESAREY MS, APRN-C, FAARFM, ABAAHP Owner of Total Nutrition and Therapeutics

809 Co Rd 466 unit 202-c Lady Lake 352.259.5190 / www.tnt4me.com

How can you reverse your biological age?

• Exercise (balance, strength, endurance and stretching)

• maintaining an ideal body composition

• eating a nutrient-dense and low-sugar diet

• maintaining a healthy shape

What is the difference between chronological age and biological age?

Chronological age is the number of years that have passed since you were born. Biological age also known as physiological or functional age is how old your cells and tissues are based on physiologic evidence. Essentially, biological age depends on a number of variables that change continually, most of which you can control. Ultimately, chronological age is just a number. Your biological age is directly proportional to your cell health, your vitality and healthspan. It’s all in how you live, eat, drink, move and think.

BIOLOGICAL AGE IS DETERMINED BY SEVERAL FACTORS:

1 chronological age 4 your nutrition

2 genetics 5 diseases and other conditions

3 your lifestyle—how much you exercise, sleep, drink alcohol or smoke, your stress levels and more.

In many cases, a person’s chronological age is not the same as his or her biological age. For example, you may have a 28-year-old man who lives a sedentary lifestyle and eats fast food most of the time. His biological age could be 45. Conversely, you could have a 75-year-old man who eats healthy, exercises 5-7 days a week, and maintains a healthy body composition. His biological age could be 55.

Aging well equals having a greater health span, the number of years you live well. If you want a better quality of life and have a greater health span, then you need to be more focused on your biological age rather than your chronological age. It really comes down to understanding what risk factors you have and making the necessary changes to reverse those risk factors. Here’s the good news. You can reverse your biological age at any point in your life.

You have the power to control many of those aspects of your health by rst, looking at your health di erently and react to it di erently. The change starts with taking a proactive approach to your health to reduce the necessity of reactive healthcare.

Looking, feeling and functioning your very best has little to do with your chronological age, but rather how you, your cells and tissues are aging (biological age).

At Total Nutrition and Therapeutics, we o er precision medicine focused on improving one’s biologic age and therefore their quality of life. With the proper testing and analysis paired with individualized lifestyle treatment plans, we can help them live well longer!

What is a cataract?

Acataract is the normal aging change of the lens inside the eye. The natural lens starts clear and gradually becomes sti and cloudy over time. As the lens changes, the vision diminishes.

HOW DO YOU KNOW IF YOU HAVE A CATARACT?

In most cases, people report not seeing as well and think they need a glasses change. Sometimes they have speci c complaints like glare or trouble with oncoming lights while driving. Others may notice the need for brighter lighting for reading. I think the biggest thing is if you’re having a vision change or problem, it’s worthwhile to get checked to see what’s going on. From there, if cataract is the problem, we have great xes, so people shouldn’t feel scared or worried about getting evaluated and exploring options to help them see better for the rest of their life.

WHAT ARE PATIENT’S OPTIONS WHEN CHOOSING CATARACT SURGERY?

When we do cataract surgery, we remove the cloudy cataractous lens and replace it with an arti cial lens. The options available to people are related to how we set up the focus at the time of surgery. The advanced lens choices allow us to correct nearsightedness, farsightedness, and astigmatism. Additionally, there are advanced lens options that provide range of vision. These range based lenses allow for the eye to see distance, intermediate, and up close without glasses!

HOW DOES A PATIENT’S LIFE CHANGE AFTER SURGERY?

The biggest change noticed is general improvement and consistency with vision across di erent lighting environments. Patients report feeling more con dent and comfortable with their vision overall. Additionally, patients report an improvement in seeing contrast and color, and for those that choose to have less dependence on glasses, not having to constantly worry about where they are, is a big change.

WHAT IS THE RECOVERY TIME AFTER CATARACT SURGERY?

Most patients feel comfortable within a few days to one week. Restrictions are minimal and only last for one week. Drops are used for a couple of weeks to aid in the healing process.

Expert: DR. JODIE A. ARMSTRONG, M.D., F.A.C.S.

Board Certi ed Ophthalmologist at Ocala Eye, specializing in Cataract Surgery

1950 Laurel Manor Drive, Ste 250 The Villages 352.430.3356 / ocalaeye.com

How would you explain what internal medicine encompasses?

Internal Medicine deals with the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of internal disease and basically covers everything you don’t need a specialist for, like high blood pressure that responds to medications or orthopedic issues patients may be having that don’t require a joint replacement. I practice Internal Medicine with a focus on preventing disease, and not needing medications by way of improving lifestyle, which includes things like smoking cessation, losing weight, and taking steps towards preventing diabetes, rather than waiting to treat it.

WHAT IS THE MAIN DIFFERENCE BETWEEN TREATING PATIENTS IN A HOSPITAL OR VA SETTING VERSUS PRIVATE PRACTICE?

After working in the private practice sector for a time after graduating medical school and completing my internship and residency training in Internal Medicine, I was a ight surgeon with the United States Air Force for three years. I then continued my service with the VA providing healthcare to veterans for the past 11 years. I got back into private practice in October 2022 and I’m loving it because private practice allows me to do things well that I couldn’t do as well working with the VA. It also allows doctors the exibility to be more responsive to patients’ needs and service them with the mindset that the patient certainly comes rst. In private practice, it’s easier to go the extra yard.

WHY IS A GOOD DOCTOR-PATIENT RELATIONSHIP IMPORTANT?

When patients feel comfortable with and trust their doctor, they will be more open about what is going on with them health-wise. When working with my patients, I try to get to know them, and I strive to make them feel at ease, but in reality, it kind of all depends on what the patient likes. If the patient is jocular, we can make jokes all day long. Some patients are more reserved however, so with them, it may be a little more cut-and-dry. I try to remember that some patients may want a little more explanation about things, so basically, my job entails translating medicine back into English so that a patient can understand it, know what they’re up against, and know how to treat it. That’s the bottom line.

I practice Internal Medicine with a focus on preventing disease, and not needing medications by way of improving lifestyle.

VILLAGES CARDIOLOGY INSTITUTE

What is an interventional cardiologist?

Most of us have heard the term cardiologist. A cardiologist provides care for patients with health conditions such as heart rhythm disorders, coronary artery disease, and heart defects. They conduct many types of tests related to cardiovascular concerns.

However, some may not be aware of interventional cardiologists. Interventional cardiologists have additional education to diagnose and treat conditions and diseases of the heart and blood vessels using nonsurgical, catheter-based procedures and specialized imaging techniques. They measure cardiovascular functions, including blood ow in major arteries of the heart and associated blood vessels, and pressures within the di erent chambers of the heart. They treat diseases such as coronary artery disease and peripheral artery disease. Thus, they can help improve blood ow in the vessels of the heart or peripheral vasculature, including carotids, legs, or kidney vessels.

Some of the procedures that an interventional cardiologist performs include cardiac catherization, balloon angioplasty, stent implantation, and percutaneous coronary intervention. There are di erent technologies that allow the interventionalist to shave, laser, or balloon the plaque inside the vessel followed by a stent in order to stabilize the vessel and prevent it from shutting down.

Interventional cardiologists also provide general cardiology care in the o ce to diagnose, con rm, and manage heart disease. They perform patient exams, order or conduct diagnostic testing, and develop ongoing treatment plans.

Procedures are helpful in the eld of cardiology but prevention by adhering to exercise and keeping close watch over high blood pressure, diabetes, high cholesterol, and obesity are essential to the well-being of an individual. Prevention is the best intervention!

MD, FACP

Non-invasive treatment for Prostate Cancer

What patients should know.

Dr. Jack Cassell, a urologist serving Central Florida talks about HIFU or High Intensity Focused Ultrasound, a non-invasive treatment of Prostate Cancer that is now covered by Medicare. Unlike surgery and radiation, HIFU is single outpatient treatment that uses focused sound waves to treat prostate cancer with low risk of side e ects. Patients recover at home and are back to normal activities within a few days.

HOW PREVALENT IS PROSTATE CANCER IN THE U.S.?

Prostate cancer is very prevalent in the U.S. and approximately 1 in 8 men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer in their lifetime. In fact, prostate cancer is diagnosed at the same rate of breast cancer in the U.S. Prostate cancer is the most common, non-skin cancer, found in men and the American Cancer Society estimates 288,300 cases will be diagnosed in the U.S. this year alone with 34,700 deaths. Prostate cancer is highly curable when caught in the early stages before it has spread to other organs.

HOW IS PROSTATE CANCER DIAGNOSED?

Prostate cancer is being diagnosed at much earlier stages due to a simple blood test called PSA (Prostate Speci c Antigen) which is provided annually by a primary care physician or urologist. An elevated PSA score will lead to a biopsy performed by a urologist to sample the prostate tissue to detect cancerous cells. Over 90% of the men diagnosed with prostate cancer have capsule con ned prostate cancer, which is treatable with many di erent options. Unfortunately, prostate cancer has very few symptoms in the early stages and once the symptoms arise, it is normally too late to treat the cancer and the patient is left managing metastatic prostate cancer.

WHAT IS HIFU FOR PROSTATE CANCER?

HIFU is a non-invasive, outpatient procedure that uses ultrasound energy to heat and destroy cancerous tissue in the prostate. It is radiationfree and bloodless, and studies show that the risk of side e ects, such as erectile dysfunction and urinary incontinence, are signi cantly lower with HIFU than with surgery (radical prostatectomy) or radiation. The average treatment time is 1-2 hours and the patient returns home following the HIFU treatment. The procedure is performed under general anesthesia, so this does not cause discomfort to the patient. In fact, it is less invasive than the prostate biopsy needed to diagnose the cancer!

The Sonablate system allows doctors to obtain a real-time image of the prostate and plan exactly where they want to deliver the HIFU energy, thus destroying the targeted tissue. The physician also receives immediate feedback to con rm the targeted prostatic tissue has been eliminated.

Unlike surgery, which requires the physician to remove the entire prostate, HIFU enables the patient to receive whole gland treatment, hemiablation or a focal treatment. If there is only cancer on one side of the prostate, the physician and patient can determine if only the cancerous portion of the prostate is treated. The precision of the HIFU system allows the physician to see the nerve bundles that control sexual function and to avoid harming these critical structures. My patients select HIFU because it provides high treatment cure rates while minimizing risk that negatively impact a patient’s longterm quality of life. My patients are back to their normal lifestyles within a couple days and on the golf course within a week following treatment.

I have been o ering HIFU since 2007 and have been thrilled with how well my patients have done since then.

HOW DO HIFU RESULTS COMPARE TO SURGERY AND RADIATION?

My patients do very well with HIFU and there is no post-operate pain or discomfort. HIFU provides my patients a similar cancer cure rate to surgery and radiation and o ers them a much higher quality of life following treatment. Surgery and radiation are very e ective at treating the cancer, but often leave men with permanent side e ects such as erectile dysfunction and or incontinence. For early-stage prostate cancer, HIFU is my treatment of choice and I expect it to grow signi cantly with the recent coverage from Medicare.

There are over 100 published and peer reviewed studies with some of the studies having 15-year follow-up. A 2018 study with 625 published by European Association of Urology reported ve-year HIFU results that showed a 98% metastasis-free survival rate with 98% of the patients maintaining urinary continence similar to pre-treatment. Another study of 1379 men, with some being followed for 15 years, achieved metastasis-free survival and prostate cancer-speci c mortality at seven years was 100%.

HOW LONG IS RECOVERY AFTER HIFU?

After a brief recovery from general anesthesia at the hospital, patients return home to recover more comfortably. Patients are routinely back to work in a couple days and typically able to resume normal activities within a week.

IS HIFU COVERED BY INSURANCE AND WHERE DO YOU TREAT?

Some of the most exciting news in urology and prostate cancer care is the recent coverage of

HIFU by Medicare and some of the commercial plans. I expect all the commercial plans will be covering HIFU by the end of this year. Up until January of this year, HIFU was an out of pocket treatment cost for patients. Now, my patients enjoy the bene ts of the latest generation of treatment, and it is covered by Medicare and some insurance plans.

I treat my HIFU patients at UF Health Leesburg hospital. This location is conveniently located near The Villages and not far from my o ce in Mount Dora, Florida.

WHO QUALIFIES FOR HIFU?

Typically men with a prostate gland of less than 40 grams with localized prostate cancer (meaning the tumor has not spread outside of the prostate gland) may be candidates for HIFU. The other diagnostic results we look at to determine if you qualify for HIFU is a PSA of 20 or less and a Gleason score of seven or less.

Expert: ALEX C. BARNES, MD Vitreoretinal Specialist at Florida Retina Institute

790 South Highway 27/441 Lady Lake 2270 East Highway 50 Clermont floridaretinainstitute.com

WHAT ARE THE RISKS OF LEAVING IT UNTREATED?

Uncontrolled diabetic eye disease can lead to permanent vision loss (blindness). Thankfully, with the clinical and surgical techniques available today, we can prevent this from happening in most instances.

What is diabetic retinopathy?

Diabetic retinopathy refers to changes related to blood vessels in the retina that result when somebody has diabetes. The stage of diabetic retinopathy is correlated with one’s glycemic control (i.e., higher blood sugar often results in more advanced eye disease). These changes can vary from mild and not vision-threatening (non-proliferative diabetic retinopathy) or they can be more severe and lead to signi cant vision loss (proliferative diabetic retinopathy). Diabetes can also cause reduced vision through a process known as diabetic macular edema, where leaky blood vessels cause swelling and a ect the functioning of the central retina.

WHAT ARE THE WARNING SIGNS OF DIABETIC RETINOPATHY?

In earlier stages (and sometimes even into much later stages), patients can be asymptomatic. That is why it is critical for diabetic patients to be screened for diabetic retinopathy with an annual dilated eye exam. Patients who have diabetic macular edema often see an eye provider because their vision is blurry. In proliferative diabetic retinopathy, where abnormal vessels grow and bleed, patients can present with new oaters in their vision (called vitreous hemorrhage).

WHEN SHOULD YOU SEE AN EYE DOCTOR ABOUT SYMPTOMS?

A dilated eye exam is advisable for any patient who is experiencing a new change to their vision. A delay in diagnosis and treatment can result in signi cant loss of vision in some cases.

WHAT CAN BE DONE TO FIX IT?

Fortunately, there are several treatments available for the management of diabetic retinopathy and diabetic macular edema. Intravitreal injections (injections of medication into the eye) and/or laser are therapies used to manage these conditions in the clinic. These treatments have been thoroughly investigated across numerous clinical trials are widely considered to be e ective and safe. These interventions tend to be more frequent at the beginning of a patient’s treatment course and lessen over time. In more advanced disease, clinical management alone is not su cient, and surgery is indicated. Because diabetic retinopathy is never truly cured, it is important for patients to follow-up at appropriate intervals for monitoring and treatment if needed.

What should you look for when purchasing a puppy?

The rst thing people need to decide is what breed they would like to purchase, and this should be done according to their lifestyle. People who live in apartments probably should get a lower-energy breed. You also need to decide what your expectations for companionship are going to be. Do you want a dog you can go out jogging with or do you want a dog that is going to wait at home for you and sit on your lap?

Then you need to decide whether you want to buy a purebred registered puppy or one of our designer breeds, which is usually a cross between two or more breeds. Once you decide on a breed, you need to research that breed, not only for its behavior and your expectations, but also for health issues that genetically run in that breed. A good source is your veterinarian, such as the veterinarians at Belleview Veterinary Hospital. Speak to your veterinarian about your desired breed and they can give you some good techniques or questions to ask the breeder. Now it’s time to research your breeder, and that may involve going to the internet or social media. Remember, not everything you read there is true, but it’s a tool that can be used. Ask the breeder for references, such as other families that have purchased animals from the breeder and the breeder’s veterinarian. Ask their veterinarian about any health issues their dogs may have and make sure they’re cared for properly. Visit the puppy and its environment to see the living conditions and health of the puppy.

Do not purchase a puppy without a Florida state health certi cate. The health certificate is not only going to let you know that the puppy was physically checked out by a veterinarian before the date of purchase, but it will also guarantee a warranty within the statutes of the pet lemon law. It’s illegal for breeders to sell a puppy without a health certificate in Florida, and without one, you also have no reconciliation if there’s a problem.

When a veterinarian issues a health certi cate, it means the puppy is in good health and t for sale, it’s free of intestinal parasites and received its rst set of vaccines and a deworming. Further vaccines will be needed, usually within the rst two weeks of purchase.

The doctors and sta at Belleview Veterinary Hospital can help guide you through this process to make sure you wind up with a healthy, happy puppy.

Expert: DR. CARA ERWIN-OLIVER Veterinarian at Belleview Veterinary Hospital

10725 SE 36th Ave., Belleview 352.347.3900 / Emergency line: 352.266.0836 belleviewveterinaryhospital.com

Private Duty Home Care

What is Non-Skilled Private Duty Home Care?

Expert: ANDREA SMART

Director of Private Duty at Lake Centre Home Care

10 Market St. Leesburg

352.315.0050 / www.golchc.com

Medicare Certified Home Health Agency License No. HHA299992424

Non-Skilled Private Duty Home Care is non-skilled services provided to you or a loved one in the comfort of your/their own home by a Certi ed Nursing Assistant, Home Health Aide or Companion with the oversight of a registered Nurse.

WHAT TYPES OF SERVICES FALL UNDER PRIVATE DUTY?

The services provided for clients can essentially be split into four categories.

The rst is that of services o ered by private duty homemakers who focus on the maintenance of a safe and clean home environment. To do that, our homemakers o er clients assistance with activities such as washing dishes, vacuuming, doing laundry, linen changes, light cleaning, and meal preparation.

The next category is companionship, and it involves our aides engaging and entertaining clients and their loved ones by reading books, playing board games or cards, building puzzles, taking walks, watching moves, assisting with personal hobbies and much more.

Transportation services provided by private duty caregivers include getting clients to medical appointments, religious services, taking them shopping or to a pharmacy to pick up their prescriptions, to hair appointments at a beauty salon or barbershop, and more. Lastly, our personal care aides provide our clients assistance with things like toileting, bathing, grooming, oral hygiene, dressing and more.

WHO ADMINISTERS PRIVATE DUTY HOME CARE AND HOW ARE THEY VETTED BY THE COMPANY?

All CNA’s, HHA’s and Companions are employed by Lake Centre Home Care. We require them to have a Level II FBI Fingerprint Background check, Florida Board of Nursing license veri cation and clearance for CNA’s. We require HHA certi cation for HHA’s, a valid Driver’s license, CPR, National Sex O ender search and at least 2 reference checks. Con dence in our sta ’s ability to safely care for you or your loved one is our priority.

WHY ARE PRIVATE DUTY SERVICES BENEFICIAL TO THE CLIENT?

Simply put, we believe that seniors thrive in their own home environment, and that is exactly what private duty services allow for.

HOW OFTEN DO PATIENTS RECEIVE SERVICES UNDER PRIVATE DUTY?

The frequency of the visits depends on the client’s needs and requests. Lake Centre Home Care requires a 4-hour minimum and can provide up to 24 hours each day. Private Duty does not require a referral from a physician.

HOW ARE PAYMENTS FOR PRIVATE DUTY SERVICES RENDERED?

Private Duty non-skilled services are an out-of-pocket expense not covered by insurance. Some Long-term care insurance policies cover a portion of services. Each policy is di erent and depends on the long-term Insurance company. At Lake Centre Home Care, clients are responsible for

paying the cost and we provide the Long-Term Insurance Company with all the documents they require for your treatment.

WHAT IS THE MINDSET LAKE CENTRE HOME CARE LIVES BY WHEN IT COMES TO CARING FOR CLIENTS?

At Lake Centre Home Care, we are committed to positively impacting the function and well-being of those we serve by assisting each client in reaching his or her utmost potential by delivering the highest standard of care in non-medical services in a safe home environment. The ultimate goal Lake Centre Home Care focuses on is doing everything it can to get patients and clients to live their best life.

Private Duty non-skilled services do not require a physician’s referral.

WHAT ARE LAKE CENTRE HOME CARES’ BELIEFS WHEN IT COMES TO PRIVATE DUTY CARE?

• Providing the highest levels of customer service and satisfaction

• Accepting responsibility to be courteous and respectful to all

• Remaining committed to serving the needs of the community and the organization

Breakthroughs in Radiation Oncology

How has the eld of radiation oncology changed during your 25-year career?

Expert: SACHIN KAMATH, MD

A Board-certi ed radiation oncologist who provides care for all forms of cancer and blood disorders at Florida Cancer Specialists & Research Institute in The Villages and Ocala.

There is an amazing di erence between what we are doing today compared to 25 years ago. Because of technological advances, radiation therapy now is more focused and precise. We can quickly deliver higher doses of radiation safely and more e ectively.

Today the time frame for radiation treatment is overall much shorter. For example, treatment for prostate cancer that typically would require ve treatments each week for up to nine weeks can now be delivered in half of that time, and sometimes in as little as ve total treatments.

HOW ARE MODERN TECHNOLOGIES IMPROVING THE EFFECTIVENESS OF RADIATION?

Radiation oncology is a very technologically driven eld, and we are only as good as our technology allows us to be. What has always excited me about the eld is the ability to integrate the use of technology with medicine to help patients. We have applied the enormous ongoing advancements in science and technology to improve the way we plan and deliver radiation therapy.

In the past our imaging capabilities were limited to only X-ray, and sometimes we ended up treating a larger target area. We could not always account for the movement of organs, and there was a greater risk of causing more damage to surrounding healthy tissue.

Today, with specialized computer software, we can now plan and more precisely target the radiation on the tumor and spare healthy tissues. More sophisticated imaging in the form of CT and MRI has also been added to our newer radiation machines (linear accelerators). This has helped to minimize side e ects and long-term complications.

At our Villages Cancer Center, we are fortunate to have two stateof-the-art treatment machines that allow us to administer sophisticated types of radiation treatment. Florida Cancer Specialists & Research Institute (FCS) continues to make critical investments in the newest technologies, which keeps us at the forefront of cancer care delivery.

WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF RECEIVING RADIATION THERAPY IN A COMMUNITYBASED SETTING?

Cancer treatment today requires a multidisciplinary approach and involves many di erent specialties working together to do what is best for each patient.

In our FCS practice, we have medical oncologists, radiation oncologists, radiologists, pathologists and pharmacists working as a team under one roof along with other clinicians to put the needs of patients rst. Our electronic medical records system gives access to other health care providers who are involved, so we are able to easily share pertinent medical information. This allows us to get things done for patients in a timelier manner and helps to minimize delays in care.

All of these elements make it easier to coordinate and deliver the absolute best treatment for each patient’s unique needs at every step of their cancer journey and increases their chances for achieving the best outcomes.

WHAT ARE SOME EXCITING NEW DEVELOPMENTS IN RADIATION THERAPY?

An increasing percentage of my patients are now receiving a form of outpatient treatment known as stereotactic radiotherapy. This technology allows a high dose of radiation to be delivered with great precision in one to ve treatments to a cancerous tumor while also avoiding surrounding healthy tissue. Long-term outcomes are dramatically better than conventional radiation therapy for treating certain forms of cancer.

Radiopharmaceuticals are another exciting new development. These are drugs in a liquid form that contain a radioactive component, or isotope, which delivers radiation directly to the tumor target inside the body. They can be especially e ective for certain cancers that are more advanced or may have spread.

PLUVICTO is one of the newest radiopharmaceuticals we are o ering at FCS. It provides another good treatment option for men with hormone-resistant metastatic prostate cancer.

We are excited to be part of the clinical research studies that will provide other similar new and exciting options for more cancer types in the next few years.

HOW IS RADIATION THERAPY CONTRIBUTING TO BETTER OUTCOMES FOR CANCER PATIENTS?

When I see a patient with an advanced cancer today, the conversation is vastly di erent than it was just 10 or 15 years ago. It is no longer impossible to think about longterm survival. With more targeted therapy options, like immunotherapy and radiopharmaceuticals, more patients with cancer are living their best lives with their disease under control for longer periods of time. The outlook is more positive and very hopeful.

SERVING

PATIENTS AT FOUR

LOCATIONS IN SUMTER COUNTY:

Brownwood 352.765.7100

2955 Brownwood Blvd., Ste. 107

Villages Buenos Aires 352.750.5105

1503 Buenos Aires Blvd., Bldg. 140

Villages Cancer Center 352.753.9777

1400 U.S. Highway 441 N., Bldg. 500, Ste. 540

Villages North 352.633.8319

1400 U.S. Highway 441 N., Ste. 924

SERVING PATIENTS

AT FOUR

LOCATIONS IN LAKE COUNTY:

Clermont 352.394.1150 / 1340 N. Hancock Road

Leesburg North 352.787.3341 / 9832 U.S. Highway 441, Ste. 101

Leesburg South 352.787.9448 / 601 E. Dixie Ave., Ste. 1001

Tavares 352.343.1117 / 4100 Waterman Way

Learn more or schedule a consultation today! FLCancer.com

•

Small business, big results

For superior customer service, Lake Uniforms is a perfect t.

•

W

hen you’re looking for a uniform company, think about working with someone local. You know, one that can not only provide you with uniforms, logos, and embroidery but a whole lot more—integrity, honesty, accessibility, and quick turnaround. Those qualities are the cornerstone of Lake Uniforms. The company recently celebrated its 20th anniversary in March. That’s quite an accomplishment, especially considering that 1 in 5 U.S. businesses fail within the rst year, according to the statistics from the U.S. Bureau of Labor.

Since that time, owner Karen Guptill has amassed an impressive customer base. She has provided uniforms and logos to AdventHealth, UF Health, Lake Eye, Mid Florida Eye Center, Advanced Orthopedics Institute, Lake Medical Imaging, Lake Technical College, and Jenkins Hyundai. Nationally, Lake Uniforms also provides embroidery for the baggage claim for international airports in Orlando, Denver and Nashville.

Lake Uniforms is truly a family-owned business. Karen works alongside her daughter, Teana Sayers. Karen has resided in Lake County since 1992, and Teana is a graduate of Tavares High School. With such deep ties in the community, Karen and Tean truly care about the community in which they serve and values each customer as family.

“ We pride ourselves in providing our customers, both large and small, with the highest-quality service

possible,” Karen says. “ Even though I’m the owner, I’m very active in our store and I’m aware of what’s going on. That makes a big di erence in being able to provide stellar service. In addition, we also do our own embroidery in-house.”

Lake Uniforms carries highquality uniforms may by Caresmatic Brands Incorporated (CBI), a global company that specializes in health care apparel. In fact, Lake Uniforms became an Elite Member of CBI and as a result was one of three Floridabased companies invited to attend trade CBI’s exclusive trade show in Las Vegas.

“We went in January and attended classes,” Karen says. “We learned so much and we are now able to utilize that knowledge to make our company even stronger.”

If you’re looking for style, comfort, a ordability, and amazing customer service, look no further than Lake Uniforms. Without question, this company is big enough to serve all your needs and small enough to still care.

agenda

LOCAL TALENT

Musician Adam Grayford, a Lake County native, strums his way into people’s heartstrings

Experience the blues

Blueberries will be celebrated in all their glory at the Mount Dora Blueberry Festival. Fresh-picked blueberries from local fields will take center stage, along with vendors showcasing blueberry baked goods, blueberry-themed crafts, and blueberry wine and beer.

April 29-30 / Donnelly Park 539 N. Donnelly St., Mount Dora / mountdorablueberryfestival.com

FESTIVAL COLLAGE OF CREATIVITY

Everything is bigger and better in The Villages. The Brownwood Arts & Crafts Festival at Brownwood Paddock Square is no exception. Browse exceptional work of artists and crafters. You’re sure to find exceptional pieces to treasure.

April 8-9 / Brownwood Paddock Square 2705 W. Torch Dr., The Villages / artfestival.com

apr. ON STAGE

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

FESTIVAL

GET YOUR MOTOR RUNNING

At Leesburg Bikefest, the sound of roaring motorcycles is heard for miles as leather-clad men and bikini-wearing women turn the streets of downtown Leesburg into a weekend-long party dubbed as “the largest threeday motorcycle and music event in the country.”

April 28-30 / Downtown Leesburg 352.365.0053 / leesburgpartnership.com

EVENT

TIME FOR SPRING CLEANING

Mother Nature is sure to smile on participants in Clermont’s Earth Day and Lake Cleanup. Attendees will enjoy environmental activities, information booths, and free hot dogs.

April 22 / Lake Hiawatha Preserve 450 12th St., Clermont / clermontfl.gov

EVENT GET AN ‘A’ IN LAUGHTER

Move to the head of the comedy class with Devin Siebold and Mike Rivera, “the funniest teachers in Florida.” Devin was a semi-finalist in Florida’s Funniest Comedian competition, while Mike won America’s Most Hilarious Teacher on ABC’s “The View.”

April 7 / Clermont Performing Arts Center 3700 S. U.S. Hwy. 27, Clermont / 352.394.4800

CLASS ACTS

The Young People’s Theatre at Bay Street Players allows students to participate in performing arts. This month, the youth program will present Madagascar, a musical adventure about a group of animals that escape from a New York zoo and explore the world.

April 7-9 / Bay Street Players 109 N. Bay St., Eustis / 352.357.7777

Masterpieces

The Florida Philharmonia Orchestra presents a Boston Pops-style concert featuring memorable songs such as “Love Me Tender,” “My Way,” and “Some Enchanted Evening.” The orchestra led by acclaimed conductor Pasquale Valerio is comprised of 50 professional musicians from Florida.

April 15 / Clermont Performing Arts Center

3700 S. U.S. Hwy. 27 / 352.394.4800

Let us help you get the word out!

To

apr.JAMS

Move to the beat of your favorite performers at these great concerts or local venues!

4/6 @ 6pm

DENNIE AND THE JETS

The Dog House, Tavares

4/8 @ noon

CARL AND KAT

Yalaha Bootlegging Company, Yalaha

4/8 @ 6pm

SOUND THEORY BAND

Sun Creek Brewery, Clermont

4/11 @ 4pm

C.O.D. FLORIDA

Bistro at Water Oak, Lady Lake

4/13 @ 3pm

MICHELLE INGRHAM

Tierra Del Sol Country Club, Lady Lake

4/14 @ 7pm

MANFREDI ROCKS

Eduardo’s Lokos Tacos, Tavares

4/15 @ noon

CARL AND KAT

Yalaha Bootlegging Company, Yalaha

4/15@ 1pm

JIMMY HUNTER

Lake Harris Hideaway, Tavares

4/15@ 5pm

C.O.D. FLORIDA

Hurricane Dockside Grill, Tavares

4/20 @ 6pm

MICHELLE INGRHAM

Flying Boat Tap Room, Belleview

4/21 @ 3pm

ANDY SHREEVE

McGrady’s Restaurant and Pub, Wildwood

4/21 @ 2pm & 7:30pm

CATS

The Sharon, The Villages

4/22 @ 2pm & 7:30pm

CATS

The Sharon, The Villages

4/21 @ 4pm

THOM JOHNSON

Loyal Order of Moose, Leesburg

4/21 @ 7pm

DENNIE AND THE JETS

Elks Lodge #1578, Tavares

4/21 @ 8:30pm

BAR FLY

Oasis Saloon, Sorrento

4/22 @ 7pm

DENNIE AND THE JETS

Beef O’Brady’s, Mount Dora

4/22 @ 8:30pm

BAR FLY

Oasis Saloon, Sorrento

4/25 @ 7pm

THE VILLAGES

PHILHARMONIC

ORCHESTRA

The Sharon, The Villages

4/27 @ 5pm

C.O.D. FLORIDA

Hurricane Dockside Grill, Tavares

4/28 @ 3pm

MICHELLE INGRHAM

McGrady’s Restaurant and Pub, Wildwood

4/28 @ 6:30pm

DENNIE AND THE JETS

Golden Triangle Moose Lodge 874, Eustis

Adam Grayford

Flo-grown music comes from trained ear.

STORY: CYNTHIA MCFARLAND ≈ PHOTO: NICOLE HAMEL

usic was always Adam Grayford’s rst love. The Florida native feels fortunate to have made it his career.

Born in Eustis, Adam has lived in Lake County his entire life. He now calls Tavares home. Adam is the fourth in a family of ve children, all homeschooled. He admits he sees more value in this today than he did when it was happening.

“I don’t know how my mom did it,” he laughs.

Of all Raymond and Luisa Grayford’s children, Adam is the only one who is pursuing a music career.

“My dad was a graphic design artist, so I think my artistic side comes from him, just in a di erent form,” says Adam, 31.

“My goal was always to make a living as a musician,” he says. “I took lessons for a couple months just to get the basics, but that was when YouTube started taking o . I would go on YouTube, nd songs I wanted to play and learned a lot playing by ear.”

He played piano and harmonica but always came back to guitar–both acoustic and electric. Tom Petty was, and still is, his favorite artist.

Thanks to his involvement with 4-H, Adam participated in talent shows. His rst real performances were playing guitar for church at age 15.

“I look back at videos of me when I started playing and it’s cool how far I’ve come,” says Adam, stating that he has grown as a musician through many hours of practice and perseverance.

“What I love about this area is that all the musicians aren’t in it for competition. It’s very much a musical community and we’re supportive of each other. Jeff Whitfield has been a huge inspiration to me,” says Adam.

Do you know of a talented person in our community?

Email their story to editorial@akersmediagroup.com.

FLOCKING TO HELP

@ CLERMONT ≈ PHOTOS: ANTHONY RAO. The Fabulous Flockers and Michael’s Foundation Boots and Bling Hoedown at the Al-Marah Equine Center in Clermont on Feb. 11 was loaded with fun and generosity. The evening featured music by the Joe Bachman Band, food by Uncle Kenny’s BBQ, line dancing, and a contest for best hats, boots, bling, and more. All proceeds from ticket sales bene tted the Michael’s Foundation to provide free activities and events for Central Florida veterans.

Jena Pugliese, Jean Ann Reade, and Debra Hodge

Richard and Karen Starcher

Lori, Mike, and Allison Wuchevich

Matt Wood, Kim Wood, Robert Thomas, and Moriah Thomas

Steve and Wanda Steiner

Mark Miller with Steve and Linda Smith

Merrick Myers and Marilyn Park

• 1.25% APY* paid on every dollar of your average daily balance up to $20,000

• No minimum to open

• No monthly service charge

• No minimum balance required

Call us today at 407.426.6000 or Toll-Free 888.843.8328, or visit us online to open an Incentive Checking Account today!

INSIGHTCREDITUNION.COM

*A.P.Y. = Annual Percentage Yield. Dividends on regular shares, youth accounts, IRAs and money market accounts are accurate as of 07/14/2022. Share certificate dividend rates are accurate as of 06/15/2022. Indexed rates are based on the percentage above the dividend rate paid on certificate or share accounts. There will be a penalty for early withdrawal of certificates. Call 407.426.6000 for recent rate changes. Fees may reduce earnings on accounts. Rates may change after accounts are opened and without notice. Dividends are paid at the end of each month.

+Incentive Checking is a variable rate account and the rate may change after the account is opened. The Incentive Checking account is a Tiered Rate account. If your average daily balance is $20,000.00 or below and requirements are met, the APY will be the qualified APY. If your average daily balance is $20,000.00 or below and requirements are not met, the APY will be 0.05%. If your average daily balance is $20,000.01 or greater, 0.05% APY will apply to the average daily balance exceeding $20,000.00. To receive the qualified APY, member must have a valid email address, use eStatements, make a minimum of 3 Bill Pay transactions post to your account each month, and make a minimum of 8 Smart Check Debit Card transactions each month. Fees could reduce the earnings on the account. Federally insured by NCUA.

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

FUN FOR A MIGHTY PURPOSE

@ WILDWOOD ≈ PHOTOS: NICOLE HAMEL. The 13th Annual Altrusa Bunco Party at the Wildwood Community Center on Feb. 23 featured food, wine, fun, a 50/50 ra e, a ticket drop auction, door prizes, and more. Guests, most dressed in garb be tting Mardi Gras, were seen mingling, dancing, and opening their wallets to support the group’s fundraising e orts. All money donated will bene t literacy programs, domestic violence prevention and awareness, and scholarships that help women increase their earning potential.

WHERE'S MY PIC?!

Dody Davison, Amy Verzaal, and Noel Brewer Anita Hill and Pamela Mobley

Front: Vicki Dugan, Ann Bakalik, Marcie Kullback

Back: Terry Womack, Anita Hill, and Pamela Mobley

Front: Shannon Schell, Dawn Mainville

Back: Linda Grizzard, Carol Lukeman, and Karen Rogers

Lauri Grizzard, Jordann Kelley, and Shayna Grunewald

WHERE'S

A HAPPY WELCOME HOME

@ OXFORD ≈ PHOTOS: NICOLE HAMEL.

Guests were treated to sales, giveaways, refreshments and more at the grand opening celebration of the Prominent Fox Boutique’s new Oxford storefront on Feb. 4. The day-long event was well attended by friends and customers, many who posed for photos in front of the shop’s feathered angel wings wall. Owner Leigh Ann Berry says she is very excited about returning to her hometown and looks forward to serving the community for years to come.

Brenda, Leigh Ann, and McKenzie Berry

Joselin and Catalina Iturrez

Leigh Ann and McKenzie Berry

Camryn and Kylie Martin with Riley Ogden Tina Glenn

healthy living

HEALTHY INSPIRATION

Members of Dash Sports’ walking/running club stepping up their game to achieve better health.

MIND.

Steps to better health

Clermont walking/running group puts best feet forward.

hey’re outdoors on downtown streets and in parks and preserves. Adults of all ages get together in groups to chat, laugh, and support. But they’re primarily there to walk.

It’s all thanks to Kimberly Grogan, a star athlete who competed on her college’s crosscountry team and completed seven Ironman World Championships, a grueling challenge regarded as the Super Bowl of triathlons.

Kimberly, who is 44, owns Dash Sports, a retail store that provides brand shoes for avid runners and walkers. After moving her company to downtown Clermont in 2019, she formed a walking/running group that meets each Wednesday at 6:30pm.

They traverse the scenic South Lake Trail to Waterfront Park and Lake Hiawatha Preserve, as well as

the streets of downtown Clermont. It’s much more than a simple organized group walk; it’s about fun, friendship, and tness.

For adults middle-age and older, walking is bene cial exercise that requires no special skills or equipment and poses little risk of injury. For others, walking has been a gateway to competing in marathons and 5Ks.

“It’s great to see people compete in races and take their health to a whole new level,” she says.

“Therefore, there is no excuse not to exercise. Also, this is a great way for people who are new to the area to meet friends.”

The run/walks typically attract between 20 and 40 participants each week. Kimberly provides free drinks when they nish.

“It’s a free event,” she says. “Some people walk their dogs, and some have kids who ride scooters alongside them. Everyone is welcome. There are no barriers.”

Kimberly is certainly doing her part. In May, she’ll launch her Couch to 5K program to help competitors train for the Freedom 5K in Clermont on July 4. The 3.1-mile race is an ideal distance for beginners, as well as former competitors looking to get back in shape.

Kimberly isn’t worried if anyone she trains wins. It’s all about having the desire to compete and turning exercise into a lifestyle.

For more information, call 352.394.7434 or visit godashsports.com.

“This is a great midweek activity because people get to be among friends and enjoy our beautiful area here in Clermont,” she says.

STORY: JAMES COMBS ≈ PHOTO: ROXANNE BROWN

L-R (front row): Brian Boylan, Amalie Skorman, Patty Cummins, Beth Yarborough, Terry French, Toni Richardson, Danielle Elsayed, Melinda Smith, Charley (in stroller), Desiree Dinh.

L-R (back row) Dan Cummins, Ben Jolin, Kristin Schmelz, Jeff Schmelz, Laura Weaver, Steve Watkins, Arwen Watkins, Malakai Watkins, Jason Danaher, Shane McCormack.

IN ORGANIZED MEDICINE

“Trust is the most important determinant of whether we survive the next century.”

Attributed to Robert Fogel, Nobel Prize-winning economist

STORY: RICHARD T. BOSSHARDT, MD

ne can argue what was the most damaging aspect of the COVID-19 pandemic. Was it lives lost from the virus itself, damage to the economy, loss of civil liberties? I submit that it was the final straw that broke trust in medicine.

Today’s physician, with all of the most sophisticated tools at hand, is simply building on the legacy of the earliest healers.

Healers whose practice was based on their powers of observation and familiarity with the natural world, coupled with an intuitive recognition of cause and effect. Although separated by a vast gulf of knowledge and technology, both share one foundational thing—trust.

Nowhere but in medicine do people consciously and voluntarily place their health and life so directly and completely in the hands of a total stranger. This requires a degree of trust unheard of in any other human interaction. Some say that airline pilots should rate above physicians because pilots may be responsible for hundreds of lives at one time, trusting the pilot to get them safely from point A to point B. There is no comparison. Passengers do not enter a commercial aircraft with their mortality staring them in the face or in sometimes terrifying circumstances. The pilot does not look each passenger in the face, get to know them personally, and tell them, “I will get you through this.” To both pilots and passengers, death and infirmity are an abstraction. Not so in medicine where they are very real.

That this degree of trust exists in medicine is due to the history and heritage of our profession. Patients must trust that their physician is properly trained, competent, and practices with their best interest first and foremost. This trust includes the conviction that the physician will provide them with the best care possible regardless of any extenuating circumstances. These include life choices by patients that have led to their condition, financial status, insurance – or lack thereof, social status, and such immutable factors as race, ethnicity, and gender. Patients also trust that their unique circumstances and individuality will be taken into account and respected. They will not be regarded as simply an abstract member of a

group, such as passengers in a plane or members of a particular race or culture. In the vast majority of cases, this trust is justified. Such trust is not unusual or remarkable; it is the way medicine has been practiced since time immemorial. No longer. There have been a number of fundamental changes to medical practice. The shift has been gradual until recently when it was exponentially accelerated by the COVID-19 pandemic.

One gradual change has been the shift from independent medical practice to corporate medicine. The paradigm of the physician who completes his or her training, becomes board certified in a specialty, and opens a private practice is rapidly disappearing. In 2020, a survey by the American Medical Association found that – for the first time – fewer than 50% of physicians were in independent private practice. The sense of ownership of one’s practice and intimate personal responsibility for one’s patients is now largely gone. Continuity of care by one physician has been replaced by care by a large group in which physicians are infinitely interchangeable and, in some cases,

can even be replaced by non-physicians.

Corporate physicians, like other employees, work regular hours, have scheduled time off, paid vacations, funded retirement plans, and no responsibility for running a practice, such as selecting and overseeing their office staff. Corporate takeover of medicine, although paying lip service to quality, puts profitability front and center. Doctors are paid based on meeting productivity metrics, such as how many patients they see in a day. Most corporate measures of quality are based on patient reviews, such as Press Ganey Scores, which are little more than patient satisfaction surveys and are not a reliable measure of quality of care.

The second big shift is the rise of mid-level medical personnel with limited training who have come to be regarded as equivalent to physicians. They are nurse practitioners and physician assistants. Although originally intended to work under a physician’s supervision, many have, over time, convinced themselves that they can provide the same medical care as a physician by

virtue of their on-the-job training on top of their limited education, nearly all of which is didactic and sometimes virtual. A better example of the Dunning-Kruger Effect (a cognitive bias whereby people with low ability, expertise, or experience regarding a certain type of task or area of knowledge tend to overestimate their ability or knowledge) cannot be found. Many nurse practitioners enter clinical practice never having treated a patient in real life. Many patients do not know if their “provider” is a physician or not, as many midlevels, while not explicitly claiming to be doctors, do not correct patients who call them by that title.

Third is the politicization of medicine. Medicine has shifted from an objective, evidencebased, rigorously scientific and non-partisan profession to an ideologically driven one bent on social justice and furthering a predetermined narrative.

Take the COVID-19 lockdowns, for example. A few high-level bureaucrats, physicians all, with no background in public health policy or epidemiology took it upon themselves to abandon generations of experience with pandemics and followed lockstep behind the Chinese Communist Party in shutting down the economy and prohibiting normal social interactions. Public and private gatherings were prohibited. Novel measures like universal masking and “social distancing” replaced established pandemic policies.

Dissenting voices from experts with actual experience in public policy and epidemiology were dismissed. Unprecedented, unconstitutional, and arguably illegal government mandates to take experimental

vaccines were issued in order to work, travel, or simply live life normally. Countless first responders and health care providers who had worked through the pandemic lost their jobs because they refused novel vaccines. Inexplicably, the role of natural immunity, which was soon proven to be better than any vaccine, was completely ignored. All of this was done to achieve zero Covid although it was recognized early that this was not ever possible.

A small cabal led by Dr. Anthony Fauci treated the pandemic with a one-size-fits-all approach even though we knew that Covid was uniquely benign to children and young adults and a thousand times more dangerous for the very elderly and those with certain conditions, such as obesity or diabetes. The relentless fear-mongering regarding COVID continues to this day with the CDC still bizarrely pushing bivalent boosters – even for young children, with essentially no data stating benefits of said boosters.

Finally, ideology has infiltrated medicine within many institutions, from medical schools to professional organizations. The American College of Surgeons (ACS), which I belong to, has taken

the position that it is systemically racist. The claim has been made, without evidence, that patients fare better when cared for by doctors of their own race or ethnicity. I cannot imagine a claim more destructive to trust then this. When I voiced my objection to this unfounded claim on the online discussion forum of the ACS, I was permanently banned from ever participating on that forum again.

I think the final straw for me was the rush in medicine to embrace the issue of gender confusion. Human history, medical science and common sense have been thrown out the window to question the medical fact that there are two sexes. The American Medical Association has endorsed eliminating sex determination from birth certificates because someone could be harmed later by this and people should be free

to choose from over 70 “genders” and counting. I cannot even wrap my mind around this. How do you trust doctors who deny biological binary sex and cannot even define what a woman is? Gender affirmation therapy in children and adolescents, which includes puberty blocking drugs, cross sex hormones, and even surgery to remove normal breasts and penises in teenagers has permanently harmed thousands of confused adolescents and provoked a growing swell of pushback.

After 45 years as a physician, the state of medicine today breaks my heart. I no longer trust our medical institutions to provide reliable, trustworthy information or work in the best interests of patients. With a few like-minded colleagues we have resolved to do what we can to restore this lost trust. Share

"This trust includes the conviction that the physician will provide them with the best care possible regardless of any extenuating circumstances."

Veggie tale

Clermont couple discovers joys and benefits of a meatless diet.

STORY: ROXANNE BROWN ≈ PHOTOS: NICOLE HAMEL

here’s nothing like coming across a good food sel e on Facebook, especially if it’s one that inspires you to ask for the recipe.

Scroll through Ernie Prado and Julie Hanks’ Facebook page and you may nd yourself repeatedly asking. Every dish highlighted on their feed—from butternut squash pumpkin soup topped with black beans, spinach, and tomatoes, four cheese macaroni, chili with cornbread, lemon berry yogurt cake, to asparagus and yellow squash casserole, guacamole, sweet potato black bean burgers, and Cuban an—looks heavenly.

“We started posting some of the stu we cook, and people started commenting and private messaging us asking for recipes,” says Julie, who with husband Ernie, own and operate Appliance Parts of Clermont.

Ernie adds, “It’s a win-win for everyone. It helps our business by giving us exposure and something relatable to talk about with our customers, but most of all, it feels good to know we can help other people interested in a vegetarian or vegan lifestyle by educating them about where to start

from heartburn, gastroesophageal re ux disease (GERD), stomach pain, nausea, tiredness, and more. And no doctor or medication had been able to cure her.

“I was very sick literally all day long and all night; I couldn’t sleep,” Julie says. “I went from doctor to doctor, I raised my bed, took all the medicines like Tums, Tagamet, and whatever other prescriptions my doctors would give me, and nothing worked.”

Today, Julie’s a whole new, much happier, more rested, healthier woman. And she owes it all to going green.

SECRET TO MAKING A VEGETARIAN LIFESTYLE EASIER IS SEASONING.”

Ernie Prado

Julie Hanks

“THE

— ERNIE PRADO

“Ever since cutting meat, I have no more heartburn and I can eat so many things without feeling miserable,” Julie explains. “I can literally drink hot sauce, lemon juice, co ee, eat chocolate, even have a beer, none of which I could do before.”

Ernie says they initially didn’t really know what to cook, so they made lots of veggies topped with di erent seasonings until Julie started nding and trying di erent recipes.

“Julie does the majority of the prep, then we just play with the ingredients,” says Ernie. “It’s fun seeing what we can come up with. It’s like an art form.”

Julie also says they make it a point to waste as little as possible when cooking. Often, after taking stock of what they have in their pantry/refrigerator, she’ll Google something like, ‘I have tomatoes, I have black beans, I have squash, I have onions, nd me a recipe,’ and all kinds of recipes pop up.

Once she picks one, they’ll review the list of ingredients. If there’s an ingredient they don’t have, they’ll substitute it with something on hand. Or they’ll incorporate leftover veggies from the day before into the new dish.

“We don’t waste much at all; that’s always our goal. We cook with what we’ve got,” Julie adds.

They also use fresh ingredients, nutritional yeast for added vitamins, and cook from scratch when possible because it is more cost e ective than buying prepared meals.

Plus, to reduce tiredness, they take supplements to replace the Vitamin B usually found in meats. And they load up on dark green vegetables like collard greens, spinach and Brussels sprouts to maintain healthy iron levels.

They’ve also learned to season, season, season.

“The secret to making a vegetarian lifestyle easier is seasoning. The food has to taste good, because if it doesn’t, or if it’s bland, you won’t want to eat it. You’ll feel you are missing out on something,” Ernie says.

SINCE CUTTING MEAT, I HAVE NO MORE HEARTBURN.

They enjoy cooking vegetarian dishes for guests but realize that no matter how much they encourage others to try their creations, not everyone will be on board.

And they get it. Once in a long while they even get a hankering for a hot dog or a piece of steak, so that’s when they turn to plant-based products made to taste like meat.

“If you would have asked me seven years ago if I could live without meat, I may have said, ‘No,’ but now, I would never go back because the bene ts and how much healthier we are today is totally worth it,” Julie says.

SWEET POTATO BLACK BEAN BURGERS

INGREDIENTS :

1/2 cup sweet potato (mashed) *can substitute butternut squash for sweet potato

1 1/2 cups black beans, drained and rinsed

1 cup diced white onion

2 tsp. extra virgin olive oil

1/2 medium red bell pepper (diced)

1 small jalapeno (diced)

3 garlic cloves (minced)

2 tbsp. nutritional yeast (Braggs brand for the B Vitamins)

1/2 tsp. salt

1 tsp. ground cumin

1/2 tsp. chipotle chili powder

1 tsp. dried parsley

1 large egg whisked

1 cup bread crumbs (I use panko)

DIRECTIONS:

Preheat oven to 400 F. Poke holes in sweet potatoes and wrap in foil. Place on a baking sheet and roast about 45 minutes or until tender. Prep the onion, bell pepper, garlic and jalapeno. Heat olive oil in a medium skillet on medium heat. Add all of your diced veggies in, stir and saute until golden brown. Rinse and drain black beans in a strainer to remove as much moisture as possible. Take sweet potatoes out of oven, peel and mash with the black beans. Leave some beans whole for texture. Stir sautéed ingredients into the sweet potato mixture. Add (salt, cumin, parsley, chili powder, nutritional yeast, and parsley). Then add the whisked egg and bread crumbs. Mix completely. Form the mixture into patties about 1/ inch thick Heat a skillet to Put olive oil in the bottom

You can place two or three patties in the pan at Cook about five minutes until lightly Flip and cook the other side until browned.

“EVER

— JULIE HANKS

BUTTERNUT SQUASH PUMPKIN SOUP

INGREDIENTS :

2 lbs. butternut squash

1 tbsp. olive oil

3 cups vegetable broth

1 medium onion (diced)

1 shallot (diced)

3 ribs of celery

8 garlic cloves (minced)

15 oz. of pumpkin puree

2 tsp. cinnamon

1 tsp. chili powder

1 tsp. ground pepper

YELLOW SQUASH

INGREDIENTS :

3 zucchinis and 3 yellow squash (quartered vertically)

1/2 cup olive oil

1 tbsp. paprika

1 tbsp. chili powder

1 tbsp. cumin

2 tsp. salt

2 tsp. black pepper

1/2 cup cotija crumbled cheese

1/4 cup chopped cilantro

Fresh lime for garnish

DIRECTIONS:

OPTIONAL (TO DRESS UP): diced tomatoes, diced jalapenos, spinach, black beans

DIRECTIONS:

Heat oven to 350 F. Slice butternut squash in half (longways). Scrape out seeds. Lay parchment paper on baking tray. Coat each flesh side lightly with olive oil, salt and pepper. Cook face down on sheet for about one hour and 30 minutes until soft enough to scrape squash out of shell. Get large stainless stock pot. Add some olive oil, add your diced veggies (onion, shallot, celery, and garlic) and cook on medium/low heat until soft and golden. Turn down to a low simmer. Add vegetable broth to veggie mix and pumpkin. Stir in seasonings. Take squash out of oven and scrape out all of it and add to pot. Stir. Get your handheld immersion blender and mix until smooth. Keep burner on lowest possible setting and cover with lid. Serve in bowls, dress up with optional items and enjoy.

Preheat oven to 400 F. Lay out zucchini and yellow squash on a lightly greased baking sheet or parchment paper. In a small bowl, mix olive oil and spices. Brush seasoning mixture over zucchini and yellow squash, but leave some mixture for later. Roast in oven at 400 F for 25 minutes, or until squash becomes tender.

CUBAN FLAN

INGREDIENTS :

cup white sugar, divided (Use 1/2 cup now and 1/2 cup for caramel later)

can sweetened condensed milk eggs

cans evaporated milk (can substitute for any other milk with fat)

1 tbsp. vanilla extract

Fresh blackberries, raspberries, and mint for garnish

DIRECTIONS:

Turn oven on and set temperature to 350 F. In a flan pot with lid, caramelize 1/2 cup sugar over medium heat, stirring constantly until it has melted and is amber in color. Remove from stove and move caramel around the pot and up sides just a little. Mix the eggs with another 1/2 cup of sugar, milk and vanilla. (Mix until smooth). Add the egg mixture to the flan pot and cover with the lid. Cover top with foil. Place in flan pot in a cake sheet pan. Fill cake pan up 3/4 of the way up the pot. (1 1/2 inch of water). Bake at 350 F for at least an hour and 15 minutes. Check the flan after an hour (be careful). Remove the lid and stick a kitchen knife into the center of the flan and see if it comes out clean. Remove the pot from the water and let it completely cool. Once cooled remove the lid and foil and place on a nice serving tray. Make sure it has a small lip so it can catch all of the caramel goodness. Place one hand on the bottom of the flan pot and one on the Garnish

immediately or place in the refrigerator

ROXANNE BROWN

Barrels of fun

Local couple eagerly shares passion for wine, craft beers, and fun with people whose names they are getting to know.

cott and Suzanne Powers were ecstatic about bringing something new to Groveland when they opened their neighborhood beer and wine bar Barrels and Boards in October 2021.

Based on the establishment’s success since then, the community was more than ready.

“We like craft beers, and highquality wines, which you sometimes don’t see a big selection of at places you visit. So, we thought, ‘Let’s do something where we have a lot of wines for people to choose from,’” Suzanne says. “That’s where the name Barrels and Boards came from. ‘Barrels’ because we like barrel-aged wines, whether aged in bourbon or scotch barrels, and ‘boards’ as in charcuterie.”

“Wine tastes di erent aged in a barrel, red wine especially. It’s much

stronger and it’s got that bourbon (or scotch) avor in it.”

Before their newfound venture, Scott ran a mattress store for 11 years, and Suzanne taught at Imagine South Lake for 17 years. Both worked in Clermont.

After the shutdown in 2020, they needed a change, which is when they locked hands and took a huge leap into the bar scene.

“Groveland did not have a bar, so we decided to nd a place out here to open one,” Suzanne explained, adding that depending on the night, Barrels and Boards is bustling with customers.

“I guess the tagline, ‘Where everybody knows your name,’ is taken already, but it really is kind of like that when you come in here,” Scott says.

Recently, Style Photographer Nicole Hamel and I visited Barrels and Boards and found it inviting, from the artsy cork- lled signage, wine barrel bar stools, a vintage video game console, dart board, and board games, to fun string lights, music, and the Powers’ welcoming smiles.

The menu consists of a variety of charcuterie boards, starting with salsa, queso, and guacamole served with chips, dubbed “The Three Amigos.” There’s also a meat and cheese board garnished with fresh fruit, a fruit and cheese board, and a few others featuring sh dip, brie, crackers, jams, and hummus.

There are also a variety of ‘sammiches,’ including Italian and pizza subs, plus others

STORY: ROXANNE BROWN ≈ PHOTOS: NICOLE HAMEL

pairing di erent meats and cheeses with jams or preserves.

“I think our sandwiches are popular because they’re so di erent,” says Suzanne.

Scott says his inspiration for them came from a cooking show.

“Years and years ago, I was watching ‘Hell’s Kitchen,’ and the guy who won was a chef at a restaurant on the east coast of Florida, where he was pairing fruits with di erent seafoods, chicken and meats. No one else was doing what he was doing,” Scott says.

“Fast forward years later when we’re coming up with a menu for this place, and I thought, “Hey, it’d be cool to do some sort of pairings like that,” Scott adds.

With that said, we had to try a few things, so we started with a very delicious Meat and Cheese charcuterie board, followed by The Three Amigos.

Next, we tried their “Make me a Sammich” Turkey, lled with turkey, brie, arugula, and red raspberry preserves on a toasted sub roll that was the perfect combination of sweet and savory.

And to chase all that down, we sipped on a wine ight featuring four wines: a Blueberry Moscato, a Muscadine, an Angels and Cowboys

Rose, and a Sebastiani Bourbon Barrel Aged Red.

“We support local as much as possible, so a lot of the beers and wines are from Florida, and we also serve ciders, seltzers, and pre-mixed cocktails in a can,” Suzanne says.

To add even more fun, there is a ‘Drink It Forward’ board on the wall that allows people the opportunity to buy an $8 drink square for an unknown person in a category of their choice. Suzanne says an example is buying a drink square for a rst responder, medical professional, or sherman, and when someone who ts the category comes in, they can claim a square, then purchase another to pass along to someone else.

If interested in stopping by Barrels and Boards, note that most nights are themed: Saturday is karaoke night; every other Tuesday is music video bingo night; wine-down Wednesday features live music; bingo is called on Thursday; and Fridays feature live music.

The bar is closed on Sundays and Mondays, unless there is a private event scheduled, or if a major sporting event or holiday falls on one of those days.

“We are so happy to be here, and we want Barrels and Boards to be the

place people come to for trying new wines and craft beers and to have fun, simple as that,” Suzanne says, adding that they can also be found at the Groveland Farmer’s Market every month.

IF YOU GO

BARRELS

AND BOARDS

7965 SR 50, Suite A500, Groveland 352.557.5007

Hours: Tuesday - Thursday 11 a.m. to 10 p.m., FridaySaturday 11 a.m. - midnight, closed Sundays and Mondays unless specified as open for sporting events and/or holidays.

Follow Barrels and Boards on Facebook at: barrelsandboards

and wines are from Florida, and we also serve ciders, seltzers, and pre-mixed cocktails in a can.”

—SUZANNE POWERS

ROXANNE BROWN

POWER COUPLE OF THE BAR WORLD

pening a bar or restaurant can be a nightmare. Whether it’s with an experienced corporate machine or a group of starryeyed amateurs, Murphy’s Law will inevitably rear its devious head.

A little over a year ago, this mutual experience introduced me to Melissa McKracken. We bonded over delayed permits, construction drama, and insecurities, with a few tears and many beers.

Last October, after a decade of planning, Melissa, 43, and husband Patrick Kelley, 36, nally opened McKracken’s Irish Pub in Leesburg.

The couple met on Oahu in 2010. She was tending bar part-time while studying marketing and journalism

at the University of Hawaii and he was stationed there with the Army.

“One night, I noticed this really cute guy playing pool,” she recalls. “That one chance encounter turned into 13 years together.”

Separated just once by a nine-month deployment, Melissa continued in hospitality. After Patrick nished active duty, he decided to go into bartending.

While bonding over their mutual career choice, they had an idea.

“We talked about opening our own bar, but once we did the math, we realized that it was too expensive to open up in Hawaii,” says Patrick.

After doing extensive research, they discovered that Central Florida was one of the fastest-growing areas in the nation. They picked up stakes, settled here, and began bartending to save and plan.

“Every time we went out to eat or drink, we would look around and realize we could do better. Then it became a hobby that turned into an obsession,” Melissa says.

They admit that they don’t see each other much anymore, but it works because of their individual talents. Melissa is the service/ management/marketing guru, while Patrick basically built the entire infrastructure by himself.

“I know this place inside and out and can x the things that need to be xed,” says the sixthgeneration veteran.

A bartender at heart, Melissa still enjoys jumping behind the wood and helping out when things get busy.

“This journey has kept us humble, and I think it makes us appreciate what we have now,” Melissa says.

STORY: GINA HORAN ≈ PHOTO: NICOLE HAMEL

From classic diners and lakeside restaurants to fine dining and everything in-between, Lake and Sumter counties culinary scene is booming. Your favorite meal is sure to be served with a side of hospitality.

You can find a copy of Lake & Sumter Style at all listed dining locations!

BUSHNELL

Beef ‘O’ Brady’s 2586 W. CR 48

352.568.7000

Darrell’s Diner

2237 W. CR 48

352.444.2318

CLERMONT

Akina Sushi Bar & Asian Fusion Bistro

4300 S. U.S. Hwy. 27

352.243.8988

Ay Jalisco

580 Hwy. 50

352.243.1360

Cheeser’s Palace Café

707 W. Montrose St. 352.404.9431

Crooked Spoon Gastropub

200 Citrus Tower Blvd.

352.404.7808

Gator’s Dockside

1200 Oakley Seaver Dr.

352.242.1825

Goomba’s Pizzeria

2395 S. Hwy. 27

352.989.4403

Green Mountain Pizza

303 Hwy. 50

352.432.3380

Oakwood Smokehouse & Grill

230 Citrus Tower Blvd.

352.394.0036

Robata Japanese Steak House & Sushi Bar 1500 Oakley Seaver Dr. 352.404.9688

Sarah’s Greek Cuisine & More

16640 Cagan Crossings Blvd., Ste. 305 352.404.8031

EUSTIS

Gators Dockside

15241 U.S. Hwy. 441

352.357.1255

Stavro’s & Sons of Eustis

2100 W. CR 44

352.589.9100

Taki’s Pizza House 2824 S. Bay St. 352.357.0022

The Oyster Tro 936 N. Bay St. 352.357.9939

Tony’s Pizza & Subs 2760 E. Orange Ave. 352.589.9001

FRUITLAND PARK

NY Deli N Diner 3325 U.S. Hwy. 441

352.365.0051

Rae Rae’s Restaurant 2468 U.S. Hwy. 441

352.323.1595

Stavro’s 3223 U.S. Hwy. 441

352.315.0028

GROVELAND

Red Wing Restaurant 12500 S. SR 33

352.429.2997

Barrels & Boards

7965 SR 50 A500

352.557.5007

HOWEY-IN-THE-HILLS

JB Boondocks Bar & Grill 704 S. Lakeshore Blvd.

352.324.3600

Mission Inn’s La Hacienda Restaurant 10400 CR 48

352.324.3910

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

352.324.2718

LADY LAKE

Bamboo Bistro

700 Hwy. 441

352.750.9998

El Ranchito 1 Lagrande Blvd. 352.750.3335

Gators Dockside 1004 Main St.

352.430.1377

Harbor Hills Country Club 6538 Lake Griffin Rd.

352.753.7000

Marco’s Pizza 13721 U.S. Hwy. 441

352.775.1500

Mom & Dad’s Italian Restaurant

304 S. U.S. Hwy. 27/441

352.753.2722

OakWood Smokehouse & Grill 860 S. Hwy. 27/441

352.751.5640

Takis Greek and Italian Restaurant

13761 U.S. Hwy. 441 N. 352.430.3630

LEESBURG

Brooklyn’s Pizzeria 27405 U.S. Hwy. 27 352.728.2020

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

Donut King 708 S. 14th St. 352.805.4888

Fire Rock Pizza 712 W. Main St., Ste. 5 352.605.6123

Great Chicago Fire Brewery & Tap Room 311 W. Magnolia St. 352.474.2739

Ichiban Bu et 10301 Hwy. 441 352.728.6669

Mammoth Oak Brewing Company 1107 W. North Blvd. 352.326.0100

Mystic Ice Cream 314 W. Main St. 352.812.1366

Naples Italian Restaurant 1107 W. North Blvd. 352.323.1616

Oakwood Smokehouse & Grill 2775 U.S. Hwy. 27 352.435.4633

El Ranchito Mexican Cuban Restaurant 911 W. North Blvd. 352.460.0123

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

Brooklyn’s Pizzeria & Italian Restaurant

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

San Jose’s Original Mexican Restaurant 1337 S. 14th St. 352.805.4174

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

Wolfy’s 918 N. 14th St. 352.787.6777

MOUNT DORA

Barnwood Country Kitchen & Smokehouse 3725 W. Old U.S. Hwy. 441 352.630.4903

Fiesta Grande 421 N. Baker St.

352.385.3540

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

The Co ee Snob 1101 W. North Blvd. 352.460.4570

The Old Time Diner 1350 W. North Blvd. 352.805.4250

Magical Meat Boutique 322 N. Alexander St. 352.729.6911

Vincent’s Italian Restaurant 5914 Orange Blossom Trl. 352.735.4578

OXFORD Pho Saigon 11707 N. U.S. Hwy. 301 352.492.9423 TAVARES

TAVARES

Bella Nona Pizzeria 280 Silverado St. 352.508.9370

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

Fish Camp Lake Eustis 901 Lake Shore Blvd. 352.742.4400

Hurricane Dockside Grill 3351 W. Burleigh Blvd. 352.508.5137

Puddle Jumpers 111 W. Ruby St. 352.508.5862

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

THE VILLAGES

Cody’s Roadhouse Brownwood 3731 Meggison Rd. 352.430.2926

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

Giovanni’s 3439 Wedgewood Ln. 352.751.6674

Haagen-Dazs Ice Cream 1001 Lake Shore Dr. 352.751.0261

Legacy Restaurant 17135 Buena Vista Blvd. 352.753.1475

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

NYPD Pizzeria 4046 Wedgwood Ln. 352.750.1994

Peachwave 249 Colony Blvd. 352.750.2238

Peterbrooke Chocolatier 1087 Canal St. 352.391.5877

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

Roberto’s Ristorante Pizzeria 2468 Burnsed Blvd. 352.626.1059

Sakura 265 Colony Blvd. 352.205.7393

Too Jays Brownwood 2835 Brownwood Blvd. 352.350.2122

Too Jays Lake Sumter Landing

1129 Canal St. 352.430.0410

VKI Japanese Steakhouse and Sushi Bar

1004 Old Mill Run 352.259.9887

UMATILLA

The Mason Jar 37534 SR 19

352.589.2535

27405 U.S. HWY 27, Leesburg / 352.728.2020 & 352.365.9004 / mybrooklynpizzeria.com

Brooklyn’s Pizzeria & Italian Restaurant

27405 U.S. HWY 27, LEESBURG | 352.728.2020 &

MYBROOKLYNPIZZERIA.COM

352.365.9004

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

El Ranchito Mexican Cuban Restaurant

911 W. NORTH BLVD., LEESBURG | 352.460.0123

ELRANCHITOMEXICANCUBAN.COM

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

Guru Restaurant

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

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

Mon, Wed & Thu 11:00am – 8:00pm

Closed Tuesdays

Friday 11:00am – 9:00pm

Saturday 12:00pm – 9:00pm

Sunday 12:00pm – 7:00pm

Sun – Sat

11:00am – 10:00pm

Follow us on Facebook for daily specials and entertainment!

Visit our Villages location!

El Ranchito Restaurant

1 La Grande Blvd, The Villages 352.750.3335

Mon – Sat Noon – 9:00pm

Sunday Noon – 6:00pm

Top 5 Newmar Dealer

La Palma Mexican Grill

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

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

BWWAAAK!

It’s five o’clock somewhere!

Mom & Dad’s Italian Restaurant

352.753.2722 | 304 US-441, LADY LAKE

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

Rodello’s Italian Restaurant

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

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

Open Daily 11:00am – 9:00pm

Lunch Specials

11:00am – 3:00pm

Margarita Mondays! Enjoy $5 margaritas all day every Monday.

Subway

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

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

The Rose Plantation

200 ROSE AVE, FRUITLAND PARK | 352.805.4340

THEROSEPLANTATION.COM

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

TooJay’s

LAKE SUMTER LANDING

1129 CANAL ST., THE VILLAGES | 352.430.0410

BROWNWOOD PADDOCK SQUARE

2835 BROWNWOOD BLVD., THE VILLAGES | 352.350.2122

TOOJAYS.COM

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

Custom-made, fresh sandwiches, salads, and flatbreads made right before your eyes. The “healthy” alternative to fast food.

Lunch: Tue – Fri 11:00am – 2:00pm

Dinner: Tue – Sat 4:30pm – 8:00pm

Reservations

Encouraged

Mon – Sun 8:00am – 8:00pm

No Matter How Big or Small

We Cater it All!

And, We Deliver!

800-GO4-DELI

Praise the Lord

STORY: JAMES COMBS

was diagnosed with esophageal cancer in October 2021.

Guess what? I should be dead.

That’s right. A study of patients with my type of esophageal cancer (neuroendocrine carcinoma) concluded that the mean survival time was 8.5 months. As of this writing, I’m still alive at 17 months. I don’t credit myself. I don’t credit my doctor. I don’t credit modern medicine.

I give all the praise and glory to God.

God is great. He has always listened to my prayers. He has always been there for me in times of great need. He has helped me endure many life challenges.

I remember praying to Him when I was enrolled in a speech class in ninth grade. Honestly, I’d rather sleep in a bunk bed under a sumo wrestler than give a classroom speech. It scared me to death. But God pulled me through. In fact, I earned the “Most Improved Student” award in that class.

I remember praying to him in 1991 when my grandmother died. I was 15 and had never lost a close relative. It was the first time I was forced to cope with grief and death. Ultimately, God helped me endure.

I prayed to God in 2018 when my father was diagnosed with advanced lung cancer. I did not want him to suffer a slow, painful death. Fortunately, God did not allow that to happen. My dad had a stroke and died 24 hours later.

These are just a few examples of

how God has answered so many of my prayers. I only regret being so flawed when he is so perfect.

I may still die of cancer. After all, no cancer patient is ever out of the woods. Even if I do, I still thank God for the extra time He has given me. Over the past few months, I’ve really bonded with my adorable niece, Charlotte, who is almost 2. I’ve also strengthened my relationship and spent valuable time with my mom, who has gone above and beyond to help me through this difficult time. And, of course, I’ve seen the goodness of mankind through the people who still call or text to see how I’m doing. And I’ve been able to spend extra time with my awesome work family.

Thank you, God, for everything you’ve done for me. Your love is infinite and unconditional.

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

JAMES COMBS

God has helped me through a difficult cancer battle.

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