THE HIT LIST
ART FOR A CAUSE: Semeion Richardson has many programs planned for her newly opened Artist With A Purpose art gallery– the first Black-owned art gallery in the tri-county area – located at 411 W. Main St., in downtown Leesburg. Through her gallery, Semeion hopes to introduce art to more people in the community, plus continue with programs to help students of the School of the Hands of God in Haiti. She also leads local efforts to help veterans, children and adults deal with mental health issues by allowing them to express their feelings using art as an outlet. For more information, visit TheArtistWithAPurpose.com.
NURTURE YOURSELF IN NATURE: No humidity? Check. No bugs? Check. It’s time to hike and explore Lake County’s pristine wonderland. Visitors will be awed by forests dotted with colorful butterflies, pristine and untouched lakes, and subtropical wilderness filled with wildlife. Popular hiking destinations include Hidden Waters Preserve, Lake Louisa State Park, Lake Griffin State Park, Flat Island Preserve, and Crooked River Preserve. HISTORICALLY AND MEDICALLY SPEAKING: Before Y2K and the unforgettable 2000 presidential election, Lake Countians had to travel elsewhere for neurosurgical procedures. That all changed in 2001 when Dr. Michael Hill became Lake County’s first neurosurgeon after opening Lake County Neurosurgical and Spinal Institute in Leesburg. Today, he performs minimally invasive spine surgery, such as laminectomies and discectomies, as well as brain surgery. He is board-certified by the American Board of Neurological Surgeries.
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TAKE AIM AT A GOOD CAUSE: Need a few more guns in your arsenal? Then consider shelling out $50 and buying a raffle ticket for Combat Veterans to Careers’ 2022 Gun Raffle. You’ll have an opportunity to win firearms from leading manufacturers such as Glock, Remington, Ruger, Sig Sauer, and Smith and Wesson. The organization helps veterans and their families in areas of education, employment, housing, and wellness. Visit combatveteranstocareers.org for information on entering the raffle.
DRUMMING UP SUCCESS: Two Lake County students performed well at the Drum Majorettes of America’s Mini National Competition in Cleveland, Tennessee. Alexis DeLand, a freshman at Leesburg High School, was named Junior Miss Majorette of the Year Elite, the highest title in her age division. Mercedes Perry, a sophomore at Leesburg High, won the title of Mini National Princess. Both will compete in the organization’s national championship held this July is South Carolina.
