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DECEMBER 2015 FocusLakeCounty.com “A CATALYST FOR CONVERSATION”
Tips to Retire Right From Those Who Know and Others Who Have
SPECIAL SECTION
2ND STORY
DR. CHUCK MOJOCK CHAPTER TWO: RETIRES FROM LSSC UN-RETIRED IN LAKE
MORE • THE COMMUNITY THAT CRIED “WOLF” • FOODIE: THE MASON JAR • IN FOCUS PICS: KIDS, KNIGHTS & CHILI
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CREDITS FOCUS ON CONTENTS 8 Retire Right
Red Apples Media 734 N. 3rd St., Suite 119 Leesburg, FL 34748
FOCUS turns to experts in the areas of financial planning, insurance, legal and mortgages for basic advice on helping you “retire right.” We even throw in some information to help in preparing you for volunteering during your golden years.
Office 352.801.7106 Email info@RedApplesMedia.com FocusLakeCounty.com Standards of accuracy: The goal of the writers at
16 Chapter Two: Un-Retired in Lake
So if you notice anything that is incorrect, please do not hesitate to contact the editorial department and inform us. Call 352.801.7106 or e-mail info@RedApplesMedia.com. The staff will fix the error in a timely manner.
22 Florida Pageants: A Look Back
Meet three Lake professionals who counted the days until retirement and then counted the days until they could un-retire. Each has his or her own unique story, reasons and path for writing their second chapter of life.
FOCUS Magazine is to provide heartwarming stories that are accurate from the start. Being human however, we sometimes make mistakes. Please forgive us.
Longtime pageant photographer Larry Oskin is helping former beauty pageant contestants feel pretty even after they’ve retired from competition.
FOCUS Magazine is published monthly and is available at local Lake County businesses, restaurants and venues.
Publisher Marc Robertz-Schwartz Marc@RedApplesMedia.com Managing Editor Anthony Rao Anthony@RedApplesMedia.com Editor/Proofreader Stephanie Sherman SSherman@RedApplesMedia.com Writers Mary Rhodes; Blake Merrill; Bret Jones; Danielle Stroud; Jaimie Engle; Greg Parady; Stephanie Sherman Photography Bonnie Whicher Photography; Devin Collins; Ashton Bracciodieta
FocusMagazineLakeCounty
December 2015 | Volume 8 Issue 11 | FocusLakeCounty.com
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Advertisers warrant and represent the descriptions of their products advertised are true in all respects. FOCUS Magazine assumes no responsibility for claims made by advertisers. All letters and their contents sent to FOCUS Magazine become the sole property of Red Apples Media and may be reproduced therein. All views expressed in all articles are those of the authors and not necessarily those of Red Apples Media. Use or duplication of material used in this publication is prohibited without approved written consent from Red Apples Media.
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Publisher: Marc’s Remarks Marc’s counting the days until retirement…
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Lake Legacies: The Community That Cried “Wolf”
Ted Wolf spent nearly 40 years in the Lake County School system, but he and his family are leaving a legacy beyond education in Lake and Sumter Counties.
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Dr. Chuck Mojock Retires from LSSC
Lake-Sumter State College’s Dr. Chuck Mojock is the latest to dip his toes into the retirement pool. Hear from him about what he remembers and where he goes from here. Plus, some special “thank yous” for Dr. Mojock from community businesses.
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Six Hands: Chapter X
Local author Jaimie Engle reveals a darker chapter in Michael Green’s story. Find out how a downward emotional spiral unexpectedly brings him in contact with a face from his past that could help him down his path of redemption.
FOCUS On Philanthropy: SCORE Mid-Florida
Sometimes businesses need help. That’s the purpose of SCORE, to support small business across the country. Learn more about this organization of retirees who have become mentors to the next generation of business owners.
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Contributors Don Magruder | Darla Miller | Bob Blanchette | Robert Chandler IV | Larry Oskin
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Look online at FocusLakeCounty.com for location distribution listings.
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FOCUS On the Issues: Merry Christmas or Happy Holidays?
The holidays are upon us, and you may not know what to say when wishing people well during the season. We take to social media to get both sides of this passionate debate between religious tradition and everyday courtesy.
FOCUS On Events: Calendar
Light up this holiday season and let FOCUS illuminate all the local events to help you celebrate around Lake County.
FOCUS In Focus: Kids, Knights & Chili
From local youth athletics to the Knights of the Roundtable and a taste of chili, check out the festivities from recent events and see if you can spot yourself or maybe even Waldo in our galleries.
Scan the code to watch December’s FOCUS TV.
What’s a QR code and why would I use it?
You can download an app, such as Barcode Scanner, on most mobile phones from the App Stores on Android or Apple. Scanning the codes throughout this issue will take you deeper into the story with video content.
December 2015
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FOCUS On the Arts: Quilting
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FOCUS On Mind: To Retire or Not Retire – That is the Question
Quilting isn’t just for retirees. Find out the story behind the history of the art and the activity that many in the area have made more than just a hobby. Counselor Bob Blanchette talks about settling into a new phase of life – retirement. Helping you to deal with feelings of losing a shared purpose, teamwork and banter once you leave the workforce, which can sometimes lead to loneliness and depression.
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FOCUS On Better Living: Retiring? Use Your Brain
Did you know the brain is the only body part that doesn’t renew its cells throughout life? Darla Miller has the facts about how to keep your brain in tip-top shape especially once you quit the daily grind.
FOCUS Foodie: The Mason Jar
Discover why 13 isn’t always an unlucky number as Fooderella takes us to a landmark eatery in Umatilla and gives us a history lesson in addition to a review of its culinary offerings.
FOCUS On Home: Finding Your Dream Home in Retirement
Don Magruder tells you what it takes to find the retirement home of your dreams, and the mistakes to avoid so that you’re happy with the house you choose.
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FOCUS On Lake County: Balancing Both Sides of A Debate
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FOCUS Flashback: The Original Eustis High School
Robert Chandler IV wonders whether we’ve lost all civility when we don’t agree on an issue.
You’ve probably heard about many of its more notable attendees, but you probably don’t know the history behind the original Eustis High School. Take a look back in our Flashback.
FocusLakeCounty.com
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PUBLISHER: MARC’S REMARKS I’m often asked what I’m doing here. Not like, “Get off my lawn or I’ll call the cops,” kind of question but more like, “How did a guy from Jersey wind up in Lake County?”
I was actually working for CBS in South Florida when I was recruited here by this little-known place (at the time) called The Villages. I remember telling my parents about this massive retirement community and one of the initial concerns was that it would be depressing being around so many old people. In fact, I found for the most part that the retirees of The Villages and many other Lake County retirees to be very active, vibrant and generous contributors to the community. In many ways, I was inspired about retirement. As a business owner, there are certainly times where I count the days until retirement – which are still too many to realistically be counting. Aging isn’t any fun but the prospect of a secure retirement and a plan to write that second chapter of life absolutely is fun to think about, once in a daydreaming while.
In this month’s issue of FOCUS, we share some wisdom from those who provide their expertise to retirees as well as some inspirational stories of those who, like me, counted the days until retirement and then started counting the days before they would un-retire. I’m not a betting man but if I were, I would bet my retirement will be followed by a third chapter of un-retirement. Some of us are just wired that way. I have some really good retired mentors to emulate. Those who enjoy life, stay active, stay healthy, stay engaged and give back so much of what they learned and achieved during their lives. That’s the retiree I hope to be some day. On the other hand, there are definitely days where I’m fairly convinced that I am destined to be one of those retirees who wakes up every day, sits on the front porch with my cup of coffee and threatens the kids to keep off my lawn… or I’ll call the cops.
Marc Robertz-Schwartz Publisher, FOCUS Lake County
Un-Retired Right in Lake
Be sure to listen December 3 at 1:30pm to my790AM Call in to 352.787.WLBE (9523)
Then watch the program all month long on LSTV.
Comcast 13 Brighthouse 498 Florida Cable 4
Reader’s Remarks: Your Voice Your November issue of FOCUS Magazine was spot-on regarding our veterans. Thank you so much for doing such an outstanding job. FOCUS’ continued recognition and promotion of the services that LifeStream provides in our community is so appreciated.
Thanks, Sherry Olszanski Executive Director LifeStream Foundation Recently picked up a FOCUS edition and was glad to see you were the publisher, Marc. Good for you.
Steve Knowles United Southern Bank Enjoy the season and thanks for another delightful edition of FOCUS.
Ellen Millour
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FOCUS is very well done. I enjoy the reporting and stories.
Sue Bragg Dr. Valente, I just read your article in the latest edition of the FOCUS tabloid. I appreciated how clearly you explained the many nuanced causes of PTSD and other mental disorders suffered by returning veterans. Clearly, this is a topic you know a lot about. Thank you for writing this piece and expanding the understanding of community folks who read FOCUS. Hopefully, your obvious compassion and expertise will result in more support for veterans and for our vital work here at LifeStream.
David Braughton If you would like your voice to be heard in our next issue, or you have a comment about a past article, please submit your remarks to either Info@RedApplesMedia.com or mail them to 734 N. 3rd Street, Leesburg, FL 34748.
December 2015
On Philanthropy Organization: SCORE Mid-Florida Year Established: March 1979 What is your not-for-profit status: 501(c)3 non-profit corporation
experts as a sounding board to talk about their business and learn some other viewpoints, as well as small businesses that may have difficulty in growing and expanding their company. Marketing is usually one of the most popular segments. These mentors make their services available for free in individual one-on-one meetings. SCORE also sponsors workshops, and speeches on various subjects.
Address: 11962 CR 101, Suite 302, The Villages, FL 32159 • 352.399.0050 Web Address: MidFlorida.Score.org Description of Organization: A group of retired executives helping small businesses. Who do you serve and how: We serve small businesses in general. What are you most in need of and why: We like to have more volunteers (retired executives from all kinds of business backgrounds) join our Mentor’s Group, but we also like to reach out to small businesses that have a need for using
Inspiring words: SCORE enjoys helping people thinking of starting a business and also the owners who have questions or are looking for a sounding board. Why are these mentors giving advice for free? They want to give back to the community and share their experience with others. It’s a way of saying “thank you” for their being able to gain knowledge over many years.
Contact us now for more information about multimedia advertising with us. Email us at Info@RedApplesMedia.com
Call 352.801.7106
Highland Ranch Building New Amenities Center
Taylor Morrison recently announced the groundbreaking of the Amenity Center at Esplanade at Highland Ranch in Clermont.
Highlights of this adult community include concierge-level services. Residents can enjoy a luxury lifestyle within Highland Ranch, while being centrally located to the best of Florida’s cultural and coastal attractions. Highland Ranch also provides close proximity to Clermont’s medical facilities, essential services, shopping, dining and entertainment. Highland Ranch is oriented around Clermont’s network of parks and open spaces. Amenities include: a clubhouse with fitness room and multipurpose room for yoga and exercise classes, a card room, treatment room and coffee bar. There is a catering kitchen, pool and hot tub. Residents can relax under the covered lanai and enjoy the summer kitchen. Other activities include pickle ball, bocce ball, tennis and an event lawn. Large conservation areas will supply
December 2015
opportunities for elevated boardwalks and nature trails. An onsite Lifestyle Director will assist residents in getting the most out of their community. Highland Ranch also offers easy access to 3 miles of internal walking trails that connect directly to the scenic 7-mile South Lake Trail that also links up with the 19-mile West Orange Trail. Walking, jogging or biking along this multi-county facility provides spectacular views of sparkling lakes, picnic spots, downtown Winter Garden restaurants and shopping, and
many other amenities. A short hike will take you to Clermont’s Waterfront Park, a popular lakeside beach destination.
Photo by Bonnie Whicher
FocusLakeCounty.com
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On the Issues
Merry Christmas or Happy Holidays: Are We Being Too Politically Correct?
Scan the code to read all the comments we couldn’t fit on the page, at our website FocusLakeCounty.com
We took to social media to find out the public opinion of numerous Lake County residents about this hot-button issue. Here’s what they have to say on both sides of the coin.
Why All the Fuss?
Patty Mclean: Say what makes you feel good and respect others for the way they feel. Be happy.
Sandi Moore: I am personally not offended by either and I know there are people on both sides of the fence on this. I think it is nice when someone greets me with any type of positive message. Whether spoken or written. Which would include a Happy Hanukkah as well! Just because I personally celebrate Christmas doesn’t mean if someone uses Holidays they are trying to be too politically correct. I feel like this time of year encompasses so many different holidays that sometimes using Happy Holidays is more fitting. I honestly think we get too worked up about the silliest things. Like for example people who get mad about using Xmas, which always cracks me up because people clearly have no clue that X is the symbol for Christ in Greek and therefore it is very appropriate to use and is no way trying to remove Christ from Christmas. Well, that was probably more than you asked for but there you have it anyway! Frank Driggers: Who cares. I just appreciate you taking the time to say something nice.
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Linda Jones: My mom is 86 and very old school. She worked retail for 50+ years and says Happy Holidays. She says that way she covered all holidays until she would see them again after the holidays. I say Merry Christmas and Happy New Year at the same time. Kailee Hatcher: It’s the holiday season. Meaning Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Years. Happy Holidays is more appropriate since there is more than one holiday being celebrated. Sandy Hutchins: I’m fine with either. But if someone tells me “Merry Christmas” they need to be okay with me saying “Happy Hanukkah” back to them. Jet Netwal: I’m happy to receive any greeting of the season, regardless of how it is worded. Good will towards man. Christine Magnifico: I say Merry Christmas. I welcome you to say Happy Holidays or Happy Hanukkah or Ramadan or whatever your religious merriment is. I’m not so shortsighted to think that every person I meet has the same religious affiliation that I do, I just hope they are nice enough to wish me a happy salutation.
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Keep Christ in Christmas
Patricia Goldberg: Yes, we are too politically correct. I am sick and tired of being forced to give up American traditions and values. It’s time to stand up and stop giving in to the miniority politically correct crowds! Merry Christmas... after all it is Christ’s birthday. Saying “Happy Holidays” implies there is more than one holiday as well. Brenna Broadway: Merry Christmas....without it, there IS no holiday.
Angela Taylor: Merry Christmas. I was raised saying Merry Christmas and I haven’t changed that. Maria Madsen: Merry Christmas! Christmas is about Christ, THAT IS the holiday. Judy Kinney: Merry Christmas, keep Christ in there. Jeremy Gladding: I don’t care. Just get it over with. Most annoying time of the year. Chuck Pivetz: I try not to shop at places that remove Christmas. Mike Blackhall: While both are a correct term only one seems to be a target. It has a deep meaning and a long world and American history. A few have made such a big deal over
Christmas and claim they are “being offended” so now we drink the Kool Aid. While both may be a correct term, I don’t like Kool Aid and will proudly say Merry Christmas. Barbara Walsh: Yes, we’ve become a nation of “too much political correctness.” People are leaning way too far to the left these days in my opinion. The majority of the nation claims to be Christian, so why are we so concerned with bowing to every group and religion but what our nation was founded on? Maybe the non-Christians are the ones who need to lighten up. Merry Christmas is still more appropriate, but if you want to sell magazines and play it safe... well, Happy Holidays to all. James Floyd: Merry CHRISTmas. The true meaning of Christmas is CHRIST. Hope McCray: We just discussed this in our home, I feel Merry Christmas is right because that is what I’m celebrating. I feel our society is too politically correct. If someone wishes you a Merry Christmas but you celebrate Hanukkah, say Happy Hanukkah back. Instead of just recognizing that the person was just trying to be nice, certain people take offense to everything.
December 2015
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........................................................................................................................................................... 7:30PM Tribute To Elvis $33/$35/$37
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Memories Of The King William Stiles — #1 Elvis Tribute Artist In The World
........................................................................................................................................................... 2:30PM & 7:30PM Lorrie Morgan $39/$41/$43
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Darell Morgan Performs All the Great Hits of This Legend.
........................................................................................................................................................... 7:30PM 2:30PM Gene Watson $38/$40/$42
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A Powerful Voice In Country Music...“The Singer’s Singer”
........................................................................................................................................................... 7:30PM Gary Lewis & The Playboys $36/$38/$40
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............................................................................................................................................................ 2:30PM & 7:30PM Ricky Skaggs $40/$42/$44
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Multi-Award Winning and Endearing Bluegrass Legend!
............................................................................................................................................................ 7:30PM Comedian-James Gregory $25/$27/$29
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............................................................................................................................................................ 2:30PM & 7:30PM Gatlin Brothers $40/$42/$44
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Suzanne and
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DATES = Friday Show DATES = Saturday Show DATES = Sunday Show Performers, dates & times subject to change.
At the signpost up ahead there’s a fork in the road. You can continue to work or you can hang it up and retire. The question faces upwards of 10,000 Americans per day according to the Wall Street Journal, and you may find yourself amongst them soon. FOCUS spoke with a few of Lake County’s experts in their respective fields to get some tips on how to retire right. There are surprising things to be aware of before you quit the grind, from legal issues to financial ones. Find out what they have to say about your future and how you can ensure you are ready for retirement.
RIGHT
Financial Tips – Greg Parady, Parady Financial If you want to retire right, it probably makes sense to have your own personal game plan. Everybody loves sports, right?
Well, maybe not everybody, but there’s something about the way sports are structured that makes sense… Which is why when I sit down with my clients to discuss how a retirement income strategy works, I like to use an analogy to break down the three phases of retirement: The First Half, The Second Half, Overtime Each stage of the retirement game is different – and since each stage is different, each requires a different strategy to ensure you continue to enjoy the life you want to live. FIRST HALF = DO IT NOW! Do it now, while you can. This is when retirees are most healthy, and excited to not be working! Now is the time to start checking those big things off your bucket list – the cruises, the road trips across the U.S., travels to Europe, or maybe just spending more time with family. Of course, activities like these cost money. During the First Half, our goal is to use annuities to increase your income so you have more than you need to cover your expenses. This provides you with INCOME NOW, guaranteed by the issuing carriers, and which can allow
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you some flexibility in how you spend your money. Eventually, the first phase of retirement will end. Maybe it will be a question of health, or energy level, or having checked off enough of those bucket list items. SECOND HALF = And...RELAX! Relax, you’ve earned it. This is the stage where most retirees want to relax more or stay close to home. Maybe it’s getting harder to walk all over Greece and Italy or health slows you down. Or maybe you’re just content to enjoy life and family right where you are. That’s when you move into the Second Half – what I call the “BEEN THERE, DONE THAT” stage of retirement. In the second phase, the primary concern is financial confidence, and ensuring the longevity of your retirement assets. You want to make sure you have enough money to live, and that your money will last for the rest of your life. Of course, you may want enough money to fly the grandkids down for a visit, or to take that occasional cruise with friends. But mostly, the Second Half is about MORE FINANCIAL CONFIDENCE. So that’s what we focus on. OVERTIME = INDEPENDENCE Finally, we move into the Overtime stage of retirement, which is a different story. As much as you love your kids and grandkids, you probably don’t want to move in with them, right? “OT” is about staying independent, in addition to receiving guaranteed income throughout your
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life – which is all the way to the end of the retirement game. And there are various ways, including life insurance, that help address the complexities and expense of living a lot longer than you might expect. An important aspect of the First Half, Second Half and Overtime strategy is giving you a game plan for a retirement strategy that can help you live your life. I know retirees often don’t feel confident spending their “extra” First Half money until they know they have measures in place to help them remain financially confident throughout the Second Half -- and be able to remain independent if they reach Overtime years down the road. If we don’t include a strategy for the end of the game up front, it doesn’t matter how much income you receive at the beginning. If you aren’t confident that you will have financial vehicles to help carry you through the end of the game, you’ll probably be concerned about enjoying it now. That’s why we start with a plan to help you design a strategy: one that looks down the road, then works our way backwards to the present. There’s a real art to designing a customized income strategy. It starts with identifying and understanding your goals and concerns, and then making sure that those goals and concerns are addressed in the strategy that we design together. It’s your life, and it should be lived your way. ParadyFinancial.com
December 2015
Insurance Tips – Blake Merrill, Merrill Insurance Congratulations! You’ve lived a life in such a manner that you are retired or are almost there. I want to give you a few key points to keep in mind for your insurance program that will help you protect the lifestyle you’ve become accustomed to. All of the hard work you’ve done in your lifetime to prepare you for this time could be taken away in an instant with one accident. For example, most homeowners policies will have liability limits that max out at $300,000, which was a lot of money when we were in different times. But what
happens when your golf buddy slips poolside during the Happy Hour you were kind enough to host? When was the last time you saw an attorney billboard that said their client was just awarded $300,000? Most awards are well over a million dollars. The correct auto insurance is also critical for a senior who is still driving. If you live in Florida, you live in a state where 24 percent of all drivers have no coverage and 49 percent of them have coverage of less than 50 thousand dollars to cover an accident. Our office receives calls almost daily from clients that were in an auto accident that were not at fault. And, whether you agree or not, the chances of a senior having an auto accident – whether their fault or not – increases with age. The CDC reports that fatal crash rates increase noticeably starting at ages 70‒74 and
are highest among drivers age 85 and older. Do you know if you have ample coverage to fix your vehicle (and perhaps others’) if that were to happen to you? What about the medical expenses associated with the accident? Now is a great time to re-evaluate your auto policy and all of the coverages. Statistically, you’re at greater risk. Some other insurance policies you might consider including in your program include renters, umbrella (that is where you can raise your coverage to millions for just a few hundred dollars a year), golf cart, RV, motorcycle, boat, to name a few. As your interests and lifestyles evolve, as nature’s changes start to affect you, so too must your coverages. Retirement isn’t the time to roll the dice. MerrillInsurance.com
Legal Tips – Bret Jones, Bret Jones P.A. Basic estate planning – in part, it’s all about probate mitigation. For
this to make sense, one needs a working definition of probate.
In a nutshell, probate is the legal proceeding (i.e. lawsuit) the purpose of which is to pay creditors and pass assets to heirs. The basic legal theory behind this process is that the debts of the deceased person need to be paid off before the heirs can inherit. In lay language, the theory of a probate lawsuit is simply petitioning the court to let the judge know that someone has died and whether there is a valid will. Presuming it is valid the judge will, with the help of the lawyers, determine the heirs. However, before heirs receive anything, the creditors must be ascertained and notified so that they have an opportunity to collect on what is owed.
December 2015
Once the creditors are satisfied and proof is provided to the court, the judge may sign an order which finally passes assets to the heirs. But here’s the problem; the above explanation is just a theory of probate on the very basic level. However, experience shows that all along the probate process there is room for delay. For example, what if a creditor makes a claim that is hard to believe or plain erroneous? You will need to negotiate or have a hearing to sort things out. What if one of the heirs is a minor? A guardianship may need to be established. And what if property needs to be sold or managed during probate? Usually an order must be obtained. These are just three of several common examples of what can happen in probate. All of these things take time and cost money to address. Even worse, assets in probate aren’t readily available until after the end of probate or by other judicial order. The practical side of probate is that it can be more expensive and time-consuming than anticipated.
ning may mitigate many of the potential pitfalls of probate. Trusts, beneficiary accounts, jointly-owned property, and life insurance are a few devices which may be used to accomplish one’s goals and provide for a smooth transition of assets at death. Only a licensed Florida attorney can legally give you accurate legal advice on how this will impact your Florida estate. See your local estate-planning attorney to set up a consultation and get good advice. BretJonesPA.com
Never fear; appropriate estate plan-
FocusLakeCounty.com
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Reverse Mortgage Tips – Mary Rhodes, The Mortgage Firm Reverse mortgages of the past were flawed and therefore gained a poor reputation. Fast-forward to
today, where the present reverse mortgage product is safe, current, and a viable retirement tool for some seniors. Introduced by Senator John Hines in the 1970s, the product evolved and was eventually signed into law by President Ronald Reagan in the early 1980s. It is an FHA product insured by the government. It allows anyone over the age of 62 to turn the equity in their home into a lump sum of money, a line of credit, a monthly payment – or a combination of these – without the burden of a monthly payment like a traditional mortgage. Many safeguards have been built into the product in
recent years. Here are some of the highlights: • You always retain title to the home. The reverse mortgage does not have to be paid off until you decide to sell it, or the home is no longer your primary residence. Whatever equity remains goes in your pocket or your heir’s. • This is a non-recourse loan. Mortgage insurance is in place to insure you will never owe more than the home is worth. • To enter into a reverse mortgage, the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) requires you receive counseling to make sure you understand the product. • A financial assessment is performed to make sure you have the means to keep up the property tax and insurance payments. If not, money may be held aside for you to make sure you will keep current on those important obligations.
• If one spouse is 62 or older and the other is not, safeguards have been built in to the loan to ensure the non-borrowing spouse can stay in the home if the older spouse passes. Seniors have used the reverse mortgage to pay off an existing mortgage (so they will no longer have mortgage payments), establish a line of credit for future home repairs or vacations, or set up a monthly payment stream to have more money left over at the end of the month. The possibilities are endless. You can even use a reverse mortgage to purchase a house. And it is all tax-free! There is no product like today’s reverse mortgage. Consult an expert to understand the pros and cons and imagine the possibilities of living a more financially comfortable lifestyle. TheMortgageFirmPros.com
Volunteering Tips – Danielle Stroud, Habitat for Humanity Do you have some free time on your hands? Are you wondering what you can do to get involved with a rewarding and fun organization? Habitat for Humanity of Lake-Sumter is just one of the many fantastic organizations with volunteering opportunities for you, especially if you’ve recently retired. As Associate Director of Development I know that volunteerism is a huge component of Habitat’s ability to provide affordable housing solutions to those in need. Habitat needs volunteers of all ages who can participate
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with them in one form or another. There are traditional types of volunteers who work on construction projects, either through Habitat’s Homeownership Program or Habitat’s Community Engagement Program, but Habitat also needs volunteers in a lot of other areas. Volunteers are needed for everything from building homes, to preserving existing homes through tasks like painting and yard cleanup. Habitat also has a need for administrative volunteers to help with office tasks and special projects. An example of this is the upcoming Festival of the Trees at the Grand Oaks Museum. Volunteers who are interested in helping decorate Christmas trees as well as act as representatives during the festival, should contact Habitat. As of late we have found that our capacity to host volunteers is limited by our financial capacity to support additional projects. Meaning, we have more hands than we can afford projects. The homeowners who are
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served through the Community Engagement Program are on the very low end of the income spectrum. Because of this, Habitat works to find sponsors to fund projects on the front end. Habitat looks for volunteers who are willing to “adopt” a project. This simply means that the group or individual volunteer is interested in donating not only time and labor but also money to help fund the project. Habitat’s Home Preservation Projects within the CE Program can cost anywhere from $250-$1000. The project usually takes about one to four days and needs anywhere from two to eight volunteers onsite at once. As an adopting individual volunteer, one would contribute $50, or the group would collectively pay for the cost of the project, and those funds go directly to cover the costs for the family in need. For more information on volunteering for Habitat please call 352.483.0434 or visit HabitatLS. org/volunteer-opportunities/
December 2015
Besides Habitat, there are many organizations that need your help. If you find yourself with extra time on your hands, here’s some additional resources to help you fill that volunteering void. Lake County is in need of volunteers for its numerous community action programs, visit LakeCountyFL.gov/departments/human_ resources/volunteer_program/ to find out more about getting involved. Of course, Lake County Schools are always looking for helping hands, go to Lake.k12.fl.us/Page/21827 to find out more about becoming a volunteer within the school system. Plus, the United Way of Lake and Sumter Counties has opportunites available at UWLS.galaxydigital.com and you can make a difference by signing up to help. Another site can help match you to the right organization. VolunteerMatch.org (You can search your community by name.)
Passionate. Prepared. Connected. TF 800.256.5432 • Local 352.383.4147 • merrillinsurance.com December 2015
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IN The Community That Cried “Wolf” When Lake County Schools needed a leader to be a catalyst for change, they called on Ted Wolf. Wolf was principal at The Villages Elementary of Lady Lake from its inception in 1999 until he retired three years ago after nearly 40 years at Lake County Schools. A Little Family History Wolf is the fourth of five children. His father, Dwight, was a plasterer, but was also an amateur boxer with a 77 and 7 record. His mother, Helen, was a housewife. The family moved to Leesburg in 1957. His father taught boxing to many Leesburg kids in a building that was located near the current Pat Thomas Stadium. Theirs was a close-knit family, spending time together and having the traditional family dinners. Although times were hard, they never wanted for anything and his memories are of a happy childhood and family atmosphere. His siblings include older brothers Ed and John, his older sister Kathy, and his younger brother Tom. All four boys had paper routes with the Daily Commercial. His brother Dwight Edward “Ed” Wolf is the current mayor of Wildwood, having served in that capacity for 20 years, and his brother John is the owner of the two area Wolfy’s restaurants. His sister Kathy died of a rare e-coli infection at the age of 40, and his brother Tom died of cancer in 2013. After graduating from Leesburg High School in 1968, Ted Wolf earned an undergraduate degree in elementary education from Florida Technological University, now UCF. He went on to earn his Master’s in Educational Leadership from Nova Southeastern University. Ted joined the National Guard in 1969 and spent a year in training, returned to the Lake County area and finished his degree in 1974. In the meantime, he married his 2nd grade sweetheart in 1971. His wife Patti worked for an area orthopedic surgeon for 44 years, becoming the administrative manager for the practice. They have two daughters. A Moment In History Wolf recalls growing up during the Cuban Missile crisis when students all across America
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were trained to take certain precautions. The entire school body where Wolf attended at the time was grouped into four geographical divisions: A, B, C and D. In the event Ted Wolf, pictured here with his grandchildren in of a crisis, no school buses were school, spent 13 years as principal at The Villages allowed to run, and students were to Elementary of Lady Lake before retiring in 2012. walk home based on what geographiin preparation for the beginning of that first cal group they were in. school year. “They assisted us in every way possible and despite the one month late start, Wolf reflected on a specific moment in 1963 we had a terrific partnership with the commuwhen President Kennedy was assassinatnity.” ed. All students who were paper boys were dismissed early so they could deliver special editions of the newspapers. The school then released the rest of the students according to the plan that had been developed.
Career in Education Wolf spent 38 years in the Lake County school system starting with teaching middle school science for seven years at Tavares Middle School, before being promoted to Dean of Students and then assistant principal. Wolf was a principal at four area schools for a total of 28 years, with his first job at the helm of Rimes Elementary School which was attended by fifth and sixth graders at that time. A redistricting plan transformed Rimes and Dabney elementary schools to K through fifth grade. “It was a difficult time as we had to work with all of the parents to make the transition as smooth and as easy as possible.”
In what Wolf called a rare opportunity, he was able to personally interview and hire all of the teachers for the school’s first year. “Most of the time when a new school is built, some teachers are transferred in from other areas,” he explained. According to Wolf, approximately three-quarters of the students at The Villages Elementary are from families living at poverty level and the school is designated as a Title 1 school, entitling it to additional federal funding. The school received an additional $200,000 to be utilized for student growth and academic improvement as part of No Child Left Behind legislation passed in 2012.
In 1990 Wolf was transferred to Fruitland Park Elementary where he was principal for seven years. In 1995, Tavares Middle School student Joey Summerall was shot on campus, shocking the community. Two years later, with the school reeling from the shooting, Wolf was tapped to transfer to Tavares Middle School to help turn the school around.
Under Wolf’s leadership, The Villages Elementary School became a coveted “A” school as part of Florida education standards. “The teachers were very good and the community cared about the kids,” said Wolf. “At any one time, we had as many as 200 volunteers who would help with the school, help tutor the kids with any problems they had, created reading programs, and overall simply wanted to help in any way that they could. We had such tremendous community support.”
A Success in Lady Lake In 1999, a new school was built in Lady Lake on property donated by the Morse family, who owns the retirement community The Villages. Superintendent Jerry Smith named Wolf principal of The Villages Elementary of Lady Lake and noted that the school was one month late in opening. Wolf said The Villages provided space for meetings and planning
“We had a special Christmas party organized by Lady Lake Chief of Police, Ed Nathanson. Every child was given a present, a special lunch was prepared, and it was another example of how it brought the community together,” recalls Wolf. A Fall Festival was another special event of the school and community coming together and it still occurs each year.
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December 2015
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Chapter Two: Un-Retired in Lake WRITTEN BY ANTHONY RAO
Are you ready to hang up your work trousers and trade them in for some golfing slacks? Then you might be preparing to join the nearly 40 million Americans who are already retired. In Lake County, retirees have flooded communities which has led to a population explosion in excess of 100,000 residents over the past decade. But not everyone older than 65 is ready to call it quits. As part of our retirement issue, FOCUS has found a few in the community who have headed back to the workplace to un-retire. First off, you may have already heard him on the airwaves. New WLBE morning show host Ron Bisson returned to radio in November after more than ten years away from the microphone. He says he never fully retired, but did take up golfing on a regular basis. “People always think I retired. I wish I could say I was retired, because I kind of like that
lifestyle,” Bisson says of his break from the everyday grind. Bisson has been on-air since the 70s and more recently hosted Orlando radio shows for nearly 20 years. Now he’s come back to entertain the masses locally in Lake County. “The way this whole thing happened, I was actually ten minutes away from a tee time and I got a message (from Tammy at WLBE) saying, ‘Ron, just wondering if you’d be interested in coming to work with us to do a couple of hours on the air for the morning show.’ And just a few days before I was saying that I got to start doing something.” Bisson didn’t return right away, but took some time to consider if working again was a good fit for his more leisurely lifestyle; ultimately deciding that he missed the airwaves too much to pass up the opportunity.
“Radio to me isn’t work. And I hope it never becomes work because then I’ll be out of it. It gets in your blood, you just can’t stop doing it. I’d be driving around and hear somebody on the air and say why aren’t you making a joke about this?” Bisson isn’t sure now if he ever wants to retire permanently. Working has kept him feeling younger and adds to his feeling in tip-top shape mentally. “Lifestyle changes, but your mind is still there. That’s the thing, as long as you don’t lose it up there, you gotta keep going.” ***** There are other professionals around the county who have decided to rejoin the workforce after hanging it up. Another example is Dr. Daryl Fry, at Lake Eye Associates in Lake County, who had his own optometry practice for 40 years in Iowa. In fact, in 1986 he was named optometrist of the year in Iowa. After moving to The Villages area about ten years ago he went back to work doing contact lenses on a part-time basis. “Only so much you can play tennis in retirement. I got bored and wanted to return. I mean, how many naps can you take with the dog?” Fry comments, on his one-year foray into retirement.
Ron Bisson was on the air in Orlando for twenty years and recently returned to the airwaves locally for the second chapter of his career. Photo by Devin Collins
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Although he is not licensed to practice optometry in Florida, he serves as a contact lens technician at Lake Eye’s four offices. Fry says he sees more patients now than he did at his own practice. Even still, the schedule and regiment of being back in the workforce keeps him young.
December 2015
“I’m doing what I love and I love what I do. I do it because I want to not because I have to. You wouldn’t believe by looking at me that I’m 79 years old,” he says of the reasons he decided to return to work. The partnership has worked out well for Fry and for the practice. He finds that many patients feel more confident when they learn of his experience. And even some of his younger workmates, who were at first skeptical, often rely on his experience when dealing with difficult situations. To retirees that are contemplating returning to work, he says that they’ll need to leave their ego at the door. But if they want to and liked what they did before or just don’t want to fold up, it can be successfully done and you can enjoy the experience. “I told my daughter recently that since we have so many offices, and I travel to each of them, when you hear that I’m visiting the wrong offices you’ll know it’s time for me to really retire.” Until then Fry is happy to serve his patients and live his retirement lifestyle on a parttime basis. ***** Dr. Diane Spurlock has worked as a professor since the 1980s for several universities; beginning her career at Nova University in Fort Lauderdale, then moving to Lake County in the mid 1990s and teaching at Webster
Dr. Daniel F ry practiced optometry fo as a technic r more than ian at Lake 40 years an Eye as part d now work of his secon s d life chapte r.
University, along with her husband Jack. They team-taught together computer and business courses, but in her second life she decided to take a twist many wouldn’t have expected. Two in fact. In 2008 she retired, but shortly after that decided she wanted to spend her time at Disney, but she wasn’t planning on enjoying the park the way many visitors do. She was there to work. After a few years of part-time work as a cast member working in the gift shops, Spurlock decided to expand her garage sale shopping hobby into a business by opening Dee Place in Leesburg. To mark her and her husband’s anniversary she opened July 1 of this year.
Diane “Dee” Spurlock owns Dee Place on Sunshine Avenue in Leesburg; she operates the business Friday through Monday.
December 2015
“I need to be someplace, and here I can be in the store, I can be here all day. I didn’t have to be hiding in the house,” she says about why she believes
Photo by Ash ton Bracciodiet a
remaining active has helped her reconnect with the community. It has also helped since the passing of her husband last year. She originally retired to spend more time with Jack when he stopped teaching and says when he passed she got the bug to get back into business. Spurlock believes the real point of retirement is to do something you love, whether it’s work or play. As long as it doesn’t feel like a job you’re living the retirement lifestyle, working or not. “Stay active no matter what you do. Stay around people, don’t let your life overwhelm you. When you’re doing things with and for other people it makes your life worth living.” She has no plans of truly retiring anytime soon. In fact, she stays busy with teaching English as a Second Languauge (ESL) courses and helping mentor young adults in the area as well. Commenting that because she misses teaching she could even go back to that one day. “My goal is to still be working when I’m a hundred. I don’t know how long I’m gonna live but that’s what I want. Maybe at Disney, maybe at my store, maybe at ESL... we’ll see.”
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Dr. Chuck Mojock Retires In early January, Dr. Chuck Mojock, President of Lake-Sumter State College announced his retirement. In a previous column we featured a joint multimedia interview of Dr. Mojock between LSTV’s Profiles and FOCUS. In it he discusses highlights from his 40year career and talks about his last 13 years of service for education in Lake County. In keeping with this month’s magazine theme, here are a few more excerpts from that interview.
FOCUS: We appreciate your spending some time with us. In January, you announced to the trustees that you were going to be retiring after nearly 13 years. Why now? What prompted that decision? DR. MOJOCK: Well, it’s actually a decision I made five years ago. As you know, the state of Florida has what’s called the Drop or Deferred Retirement program. And so you take that option and then you have five years before you have to actually retire. So I will be turning 62 in January 2016 and have to be done by then. FOCUS: What is the most passionate thing, what are you the most proud of as far as community involvement? DR. MOJOCK: Again, the reason I like and love community colleges, and even though we’re a state college, we’re still a community college at our core mission, is that we’re involved in the community. We want to give back. We want to be a part of it. So I think that’s very important for me to model that and expect all of my folks to do the same. Organizations like the March of Dimes. I was honored to be an honorary chair one year and, you know, help them to raise money for babies and families who are going through premature birth experience and all the issues that brings with it. But there are so many others: United Way, Lifestream. And then on, you know, the flip side, is the Chamber. I was chair of South Lake Chamber and really one of the best things, most enjoyable activities and still have very good friends that I made during that time that I see, and I think it really helped the college’s visibility and presence in South Lake as well, because they kind of look at us as, you’re that Leesburg school. 18
You know, your faculty and staff, they’re the people who get things done, who make things happen. They ought to be number two behind the students, who are your primary focus. And the other thing for a president is you need to take care of your board and make sure you’ve got a good consensus and you’re growing in the same direction, and not working at cross purposes. FOCUS: You mentioned early on sort of what’s next, some travel, hanging out with your kids. Do you plan on staying in the area? DR. MOJOCK: Yes. Yeah, I think we will. We have not made any definite LSSC d le s a h th decisions yet. We’re going to just kind , who k Mojock , retires this mon of take it a step at a time, take some Dr. Chuc s r st 12 yea la . e e g h t e ll r o o f time, as I said. Get the cross-country ec ent of th as presid trip that we’ve been wanting to do for a long time, and obviously have not had FOCUS: You can’t forget Stepping Out the chance to spend two or three months for Education. on the road when we’re both working. So Kathy and I are really looking forward to DR. MOJOCK: Stepping Out for Eduthat. cation, I try not to mention that, but it usually does come up. *UPDATE: Since this interview was originally produced, Lake-Sumter State College named Stanley Sidor as the new FOCUS: Cross it off the list. president of LSSC. DR. MOJOCK: My dancing debut was great fun. FOCUS: And a great cause. DR. MOJOCK: Yeah. Had a good time. I’ll never forgive Gus Grizzard for beating me that year. It was painful. FOCUS: And the most important advice that you would give to the incoming president?* DR. MOJOCK: I think it’s back to relationships. Take care of the people and everything else will take care of itself.
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Watch Profiles on LSTV – Scan the code to see the entire 30 minute exclusive Profiles interview with Dr. Mojock.
December 2015
District Board of Trustees & Lake-Sumter State College Foundation, Inc. Honors and Congratulates Dr. Charles R. Mojock, President 2002 - 2015
Dr. Mojock has served as President of Lake-Sumter State College and will be remembered for his dedication, leadership and vision to the college, the students, community, faculty and staff, district board of trustees and foundation board. Many partnerships were created during his tenure, along with the addition of the Science-Math Building on the Leesburg Campus, the opening of the joint-use building with UCF, and the addition of the Cooper Memorial Library on the South Lake Campus. He was also instrumental in establishing the Health Sciences Collegiate Academy in South Lake and expanding workforce training in Sumter County to create the Sumter Workforce Partnership for Workforce Innovation and Education with securing $1 million in state funding. The college received many accolades, awards and recognition under his leadership, including being named among the Top 10% of Community Colleges in the Nation by the prestigious Aspen Institute; listed as a “Best Places to Work” in Lake and Sumter counties; recognized nationally and ranked 3rd among Florida’s public 4-year institutions with the lowest net price for most affordable colleges, and Community College of the Year Award from the African-American Education Alliance.
Thank you Dr. Mojock for 13 great years and Happy Retirement!
Congratulations Dr. Chuck Mojock!
The Lake EMS Board of Directors and staff recognizes Dr. Chuck Mojock’s dedica�on and service. Thank you for leaving an indelible mark on local and state educa�on which will con�nue to benet the ci�zens of Lake and Sumter Coun�es. We wish you well as you begin a new chapter in your life.
LAKE EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES 2761 West Old U.S. Highway 441 Mount Dora, FL 32757 352.383.4554 www.lakeems.org
“In Rhythm with Our Community”
—Welton G. Cadwell, Chairman
Thanks for Standing Out from the Bunch for the Past 13 Years
Florida Hospital Waterman congratulates Dr. Charles Mojock on his 13 years of service to the students of Lake Sumter State College as well as his unwavering commitment to creating career opportunities aimed at strengthening our workforce and improving the quality of healthcare offered to our community, families and friends.
FHWaterman.com
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December 2015
Going above and beyond.
Real progress starts with people who are inspired to make a difference. Those who set the example. Those who serve others. And with that, Duke Energy congratulates Dr. Chuck Mojock on his retirement from Lake Sumter State College.
And Thank You to Dr. Charles Mojock for his dedication to the students of LSSC. Enjoy your retirement.
From your friends at
www.duke-energy.com
A Special Thank you to Dr. Mojock for his dedication to the college and our community! Good Luck, from Mike Sleaford, Gail Baker and the entire staff of Reunion Bank of Florida. December 2015
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WRITTEN BY LARRY OSKIN
Stunning talent with current and former beauty pageant title holders arrived at Heritage Hills in
Clermont recently with a team of talented hair designers and makeup artists. Always inspired by beauty, Larry Oskin of Art Beautique volunteered to organize, art-direct and photograph some of the most beautiful women in Florida and the world. Oskin has long worked to photograph women to help celebrate their inner and outer beauty, and build self-esteem, pride and credibility for each of the women.
Picture Perfect Pageantry Photography Session The concept for this event originated as Oskin was named the Official Photographer
: s t n a e g a P a Florid k c a B k o o AL
for the Mrs. Florida America Pageant and the Mrs. & Miss Florida USA – Earth Pageants. Since Oskin has been working with beauty and scholarship pageants for over 40 years, he decided to invite a group of pageant title holders for a very creative and collaborative fine art photography session here in Clermont. Kelly Pickens of Jacksonville, the current Mrs. Florida America; April Lufriu of Tampa, the former Mrs. Florida, national – Mrs. America and international – Mrs. World; Mrs. Maureen Huebel of Orlando, the Mrs. Florida USA – Earth; Mrs. Lisa Scott, Mrs. Indiana America of Fort Wayne and Mrs. Cynthia Gramberg of Saint Petersburg, the Mrs. National Renaissance participated in this event.
April Lufriu – the former Mrs. Florida America, Mrs. America and Mrs. World. (Photos by Larry Oskin)
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Everyone volunteered their time and talent for this event. The best images will be sent out to national beauty trade and consumer media, inclusive of salon stylebooks and hairstyle magazines. Each woman posed in a variety of wardrobe options with and without their pageant crowns and sashes. These photographs will also help each pageant title holder to enhance their professional portfolios, in order to promote themselves and their platforms.
The Beauty Of Pageantry
The primary goal was to help promote these women, their pageants, their platforms and their beauty with creative hair, makeup and wardrobe artistry. Many people are quite surprised to learn that most of these women do not enter pageants because being pretty or beautiful is on their mind. They all have a thoughtful platform, a charitable cause and a sincere personal mission to help others! Many are also surprised to learn that not all pageant title holders are young, yet they are all still gorgeous at any age! With Teen, Miss, Ms. And Mrs. Pageants, many viable pageant title contenders are in their 30s, 40s and 50s.
Creative Hair & Makeup Artistry The talented hair and design team, consisting of Onda Black from Tierra Verde, FL; Justina Banét of Trinity, FL; Nicole Mirabile of Trinity, FL; Carol Stevenson of Pinellas Park, FL; Terri Tsavaris of Trinity, FL and Ky Gomez of Clermont – made everyone look glamorous.
Larry Oskin Oskin regularly photographs homes, families, flowers, animals, business facilities and models while turning each photography session into original frameable artwork to decorate your walls. He is available to photograph special events, pageants, beauty, glamour, engagements, boudoir and commercial product photography. Art Beautique offers opportunities to create special
December 2015
customized original artwork for homes and businesses. Each professional fine art photograph is turned into beautiful one-ofa-kind original artwork by using his photo impressionism techniques.
Art Beautique Photo Impressionism
Oskin offers professional commercial and creative fine art photography services. Many of his best traditional photographs are converted to artwork that looks like an impressionist painting. He notes, “My Art Beautique work is very stylized. Photography remains one of our best artistic forms of creative media and visual expression. Through the fine art of photography, we are able to share what we can see, sense and feel, yet not touch! With photography, we can share the instant of a beautiful sunrise, sunset and cloud, which may only otherwise be a mere Kelly Pickens of Jacksonville, the current Mrs. Florida quick America. (Photos by Larry Oskin) memory. With fine art photography, we are able to enjoy the memory of smiles, happiness, sorrow, love, warmth, friendship, beauOskin is planning another free Art Beauty and spirit as well as tique Pageant Photography Session in early to remember the unique 2016. For more information visit joy we may have experiArtBeautique.com. enced from a complete array of emotions. A picture may only be worth 1000 words, while little else will compare . when you are able to s r the M ) , o d n capture any special Oskin Orla bel of tos by Larry e u moment in time!” H o n auree Earth. (Ph M . s r M – a USA Florid
Originally from Buffalo, New York, Oskin has exhibited his limited edition professional artwork in private art galleries and city museums across the world, including exhibiting at the famous Albright-Knox Art Gallery. He launched Art Beautique with a virtual art gallery and fine art photography business. Oskin is also President of Marketing Solutions in Clermont as a small boutique marketing, advertising, graphic design, photography and PR agency, specializing in the professional beauty, salon, spa and medical industries. Oskin is a member of the South Lake Art League and he serves on the Downtown Clermont Arts Council steering committee.
Next Pageant Photography Sessions
December 2015
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EXPERTISE > CANCER Our team of specialists are greater than cancer. Dr. Anudh Jain, board certified radiation oncologist, leads a team of specialists and caregivers at Florida Hospital Waterman Cancer Institute dedicated to helping patients and their family navigate cancer from diagnosis to survivorship. Utilizing the latest technology and advanced techniques in cancer treatment, we’re committed to treating each patient with an individual treatment plan including support services to care for body, mind and spirit. To learn more ways our specialists and expert care are greater than cancer, visit FHWatermanCancer.com.
Anudh Jain, MD,
Radiation Oncologist
On Events For more info 352.394.4800
December 28-30; 9 AM - 2 PM Christmas Holiday Camp (Children Age 4+) DreamCatcher Horse Ranch & Rescue Center For more info 407.702.8332
Every Saturday; 8 AM - 1 PM Leesburg Saturday Morning Market Downtown Leesburg LeesburgSaturdayMorningMarket.com December 1-12 20th Annual Leesburg Main Street Christmas House Viaport Florida Mall For more info 352.365.0053 December 4; 5 PM - 9 PM Christmas Shop, Hop & Wine Walk Downtown Leesburg For more info 352.435.9107 December 4-20 The King and I, Rodgers and Hammerstein Melon Patch Theater MelonPatchPlayers.com December 5; 3 PM - 10 PM Main Street Christmas Parade Festival Downtown Leesburg ChristmasParade.LeesburgPartnership.com December 6; 6 PM Christmas Lights On The Water & Boat Parade Venetian Gardens For more info 352.326.8274 December 12; 5 PM - 9:30 PM Leesburg Food Truck-n-Flick Night Towne Square FoodTrucknFlick.LeesburgPartnership.com
Every Sunday; 9 AM - 2 PM Farmers’ Market Historic Downtown Clermont For more info 352.247.4640 Tuesdays; 10 AM - 12 PM Groom and Love a Rescue Horse DreamCatcher Horse Ranch & Rescue Center For more info 407.702.8332 December 3-5 Light Up Clermont Montrose Street For more info 352.394.3500 December 4; 5:30 PM - 9 PM Family Food Truck Night Historic Downtown Clermont For more info 352.247.4640 December 4; 6 PM - 9 PM Music on Montrose Montrose and 7th Street For more info 352.247.4640 December 6; 6 PM - 9 PM Clermont Chanukah Party Temple L’Chayim For more info 352.242.6135 December 12-13; 10 AM - 5 PM 5th Annual Wine & Chocolate Festival Lakeridge Winery & Vineyards For more info 352.394.8627 December 13; 2 PM - 6 PM Holidays with the Horses - All Ages DreamCatcher Horse Ranch & Rescue Center DreamCatcherHorses.com December 19; 7:30 PM Motortown Christmas Clermont Performing Arts Center
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December 3, 10, 17; 6:30 PM Yoga Classes - Weekly Unity Church Of Leesburg 826 East Dixie Avenue For more info 505.967.9312 December 4-5; 9 AM - 4 PM Craft Fair Unity Church Of Leesburg 826 East Dixie Avenue For more info 505.967.9312 December 10; 6 PM - 10 PM First Annual Banquet A Vision for The Future, A Reflection of Our Past Venetian Gardens - Community Building For more info 352.978.3727 December 12; 12 PM Wreaths Across America to Honor Veterans Lone Oak Cemetery For more info 877.385.9504 December 19; 7 PM - 9 PM Christmas Spotlight Show Anastassia Ballroom & Dance For more info 352.533.7400 December 29; 11 AM - 1 PM Christmas Circus Class with Mr. Tim Trick Leesburg Public Library For more info 352.250.8719
December 2015
December 1, 15; 9 AM Board of County Commissioners Meeting Administration Building, Commission Chambers For more info 352.343.9888 December 1-23 Cannonball Christmas Express Train Tavares Train Station For more info 352.742.7200 December 5; 3 PM - 9 PM Christmas Parade & Celebration Wooton Park For more info 352.742.6209 December 14; 6 PM Lake County School Board Meeting Administration Building, Commission Chambers For more info 352.253.6500 December 15; 2 PM - 4 PM Senior Cinema Tavares Public Library For more info 352.742.6204
Every Sunday; 9 AM - 2 PM The Mount Dora Village Market Elizabeth Evans Park MountDoraMarket.com December 3-6 & 10-13; 8 PM - 10:30 PM Guys & Dolls - The Musical Sonnentag Theatre at The Icehouse IceHouseTheatre.com December 4; 6PM - 9 PM Mount Dora Christmas Walk Downtown For more info 352.383.2165 December 5; 11 AM 55th Annual Christmas Parade Downtown Mount Dora For more info 352.735.8629 December 11; 6 PM - 8 PM Mount Dora Art Stroll Downtown Mount Dora For more info 352.383.0880 December 17; 5 PM - 8:30 PM Family Food Truck Night Sunset Park, Downtown For more info 352.735.7100
December 2015
December 20; 3 PM Winter Wonderland-Tribute to Louis Armstrong Florida Lakes Symphony Orchestra Mount Dora Community Center For more info 352.383.2165 December 31; 9 PM New Year’s Eve Variety Show & Party Olympia Banquets For more info 352.383.2165
December 1, 8, 15, 22; 4 PM - 4:30 PM Book Buddies Story Time (Ages 4-6) Minneola Schoolhouse Library For more info 352.432.3921 December 1-5; 4 PM - 8 PM Festival of Trees The Grand Oaks Resort, Weirsdale TheGrandOaks.com/Festival-of-Trees
December 2, 9, 16, 23; 3 PM - 4 PM Youth Chess Club Fruitland Park Library For more info 352.360.6561
December 5-6; 11 AM - 6 PM Christmas with the Alpacas TMMA Farms, Oxford For more info 352.484.7856
December 10; 3:30 PM - 4:30 PM PAWS - Reading with Therapy Dogs Fruitland Park Library For more info 352.360.6561
December 11; 5 PM - 8 PM December 12; 8 AM - 5 PM Howey Christmas Festival Griffin Park, Howey-in-the-Hills For more info 352.324.0254
December 21; 10 AM - 11:30 AM Fruitland Park Book Club Fruitland Park Library For more info 352.360.6561
Every Tuesday; 9 AM - 1 PM Lady Lake Farmers’ Market Log Cabin Park For more info 352.552.1266 December 5; 6:30 PM Tribute to The Eagles & Dinner Harbor Hills Country Club For more info 352.753.7000 December 11; 6 PM - 7 PM Light Up Lady Lake Lady Lake Area Chamber LadyLakeChamber.org December 12; 7 PM Christmas Around the World Sharon L. Morse Performing Arts Center TheSharon.com December 20; 2 PM & 7 PM Sonos Handbells, A Christmas Celebration Sharon L. Morse Performing Arts Center TheSharon.com
December 19; 10 AM - 2 PM Super Smash Bros. Brawl Tournament Astor County Library For more info 352.759.9913 December 31 The Spectacular New Year’s Eve Gala Mission Inn Resort Howey-in-the-Hills For more info 352.324.3910
December 12; 2 PM & 7:30 PM December 13; 2 PM Branson on the Road, Holiday Style Paul P. Williams Fine Arts Auditorium Leesburg Campus For more info 352.365.3506
FOCUS Magazine Lake County
Go to FocusLakeCounty.com and Like the FOCUS Lake County Facebook page to find more events information.
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IN FOCUS CARVER MIDDLE ATHLETICS
Carver Middle School in Leesburg hosts numerous athletic programs for both girls and boys. From football to basketball, and even volleyball and cross-country, students can enjoy a variety of activities encouraging development of teamwork and problem-solving skills. PHOTOS BY ACADIA SCHWARTZ
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December 2015
IN FOCUS LADY OF THE LAKES RENFAIRE
Attendees of the 14th Annual Lady of the Lakes Renaissance Faire had a chance to step back in time over two November weekends. They could do everything from learning archery to watching a live chess match between knights and kings. All event proceeds go to beneďŹ t the Educational Foundation of Lake County and its programs. PHOTOS BY BONNIE WHICHER
December 2015
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IN FOCUS CHILI COOK-OFF
Leesburg held its annual Chili Cook-Off in its downtown area recently. Of the 30 groups participating, the Leesburg Fire Department for the second year in a row, took home first-place honors in both the Chef’s and People’s Choice categories. Also placing were Lake OB/GYN and Nicki’s Hair Studio in second place, followed by Two Old Hags in third. PHOTOS BY DEVIN COLLINS
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December 2015
Quilting the Day Away a versatile art that can be as easy or difficult as you like. People often wait until after retirement to take up quilting as it can be quite a time-consuming hobby, but some people are ‘born’ into quilting, like Marilyn Gentry. She grew up in Indiana in a family of farmers and her maternal grandmother was Pennsylvania Dutch, so it was always in her home. All the women in her family were quilters so it’s a big part of her heritage. One of the Pennsylvania Dutch quilts that have been in And although she learned Marilyn Gentry’s family for generations. (Photos submitted) the basics of quilting from a young age, she wasn’t able to actually begin the art until WRITTEN BY STEPHANIE SHERMAN she was 12 years old and tall enough to reach across the quilting frame. What do you know about quilting? Perhaps quilting bees come to mind, where women spend time in a social setting sewing quilts together, often for a particular purpose such as creating a wedding quilt. Or maybe you have a treasured quilt made by your grandmother. Quilting is an art form that’s been around for a very long time and can be traced back at least to the Middle Ages. Examples from Europe, India and the Far East can be found, but quilting has also been practiced in Persia and Africa. The word ‘quilt’ seems to have first been used in England in the 1200s, and connects with the Latin word ‘cucita’ meaning a ‘stuffed sack.’ Quilting is all about the layers, and usually involves two layers of fabric sandwiching a thickish padding or interlining, all held together by lines of stitching; the patchwork top, which we most identify with a quilt, the batting in between, and the backing fabric. However, it is not essential to have the middle layer; for instance in early 18th-century English quilting, just the two outer layers of fabric were used, and in ‘Italian’ or corded quilting, strands of cord or thick wool are threaded between parallel lines of stitching to make the raised pattern. So there is a lot more to quilting than you may have imagined and it is
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According to Gentry, the origins of Pennsylvania Dutch quilting grew out of necessity. It actually was an early form of recycling, for the purpose of making blankets. Early quilts were made from feed sacks and sewn with horsehair, at least for the outdoor blankets used to keep warm when riding on a carriage. Indoor blankets were usually made of recycled clothing made of cotton, which was the only fabric available. In later years, when fabrics were manufactured in America other fabrics became affordable, freeing women from the work of making yarns and fabrics. Then more artistic types of quilting became more widespread. Nowadays quilts are created not just for simple necessity as blankets, but as heirlooms to be passed on through the generations and even works of art designed to hang on the wall. There are also theme-based quilts such as charity or comfort quilts. Two organizations that provide these quilts are Project Linus, whose volunteers are sometimes called blanketeers, and provide handmade blankets of all kinds to ill and traumatized children; and Quilts of Valor, made by quilters who are dedicated to providing comfort for
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wounded soldiers. Locally, Villages Honor Flight gifts a handmade quilt to each veteran they fly to Washington DC to visit the war memorials. Quilting is an art lending itself to all ages, and men as well as women participate. It’s common for people to take up the art as a hobby in retirement since it can be expensive and time-consuming. Quilts can be completely hand-sewn or machine-sewn, or a combination of the two. Mass-produced quilts in department stores are more for practical use such as bedspreads, as opposed to works of art or heirloom-quality pieces that may be found in specialty retail stores or online at sites like eBay and Etsy. As for Gentry, she has been retired from careers in accounting, and as a business owner. She once purchased a Hallmark card shop with money her husband gave her from selling his Corvette. She ended up owning four Hallmark stores and bought her husband another Corvette two years later. Now she is un-retired and working again, but still finds time to quilt every single day. Gentry owns many heirloom quilts handed down from her Pennsylvania Dutch ancestors, including her most-cherished one, made for her grandfather by his mother, for her only son of 13 children. Gentry also teaches quilting classes at Joann Fabrics and says that in her introduction to students new to quilting she emphasizes certain requirements, such as a great love for sewing and good math skills, which are important for fitting the pieces together properly. There’s even been scandal associated with quilting. Margaret Rogers Caden, of Kentucky, submitted her prize-winning ‘Unknown Star’ quilt for a contest at the 1933 World’s Fair in Chicago. Caden and her quilt caused a bit of a scandal when it was revealed that she paid a team of women to construct the project. Entrants were required to sign a statement verifying they were the sole quilt maker. Rogers Caden was awarded over $1,200 but never admitted publicly that the quilt was not her own work. The quilt was ultimately presented to Eleanor Roosevelt.
December 2015
Experience the ‘Dream of Flight’ Today! 6548 Groveland Airport Road Groveland, FL 34736
352.429.0213 QuestAirHangGliding.com
“Bisson in the Morning” With Legendary Radio Veteran Ron Bisson
Now on My790AM 7am to 9am Monday - Friday Office: 352.787.7900 • Studio Line: 352.787.WLBE (9523) Streaming Live at My790AM.com LIVE! Radio every first & third Thursday at 1:30pm, plus watch us on LSTV & on the web! December 2015
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On the Mind
To Retire or Not Retire—That is the Question “I was eight when I moved to Florida, and I thought, ‘Oh great, the retirement capital of the world. I’ll be dead within a decade.’” ― Jarod Kintz Perhaps one of the most difficult questions a person will ever have to face confronts them as they approach retirement age—do I turn in my timecard and take the plunge into the unknown world of retirement or I do keeping punching the clock? Like any other important issue or decision one is faced with in life, it is always wise to ask yourself some hard questions first. Or perhaps consider completing a Ben Franklin chart, which entails listing the pros and cons in columns side by side on paper, as they relate to timing and implementation of an important decision. Ben Franklin, one of our more critical-thinking forefathers, also recommended doing this over days or an extended period of time and assigning a number from one to five next to each reason—weighting how important that particular reason is to you. In contemplating the big “R” decision, there are the obvious questions one must always answer, which center on the obvious logistical timing and financial feasibility of when, how and if, you are able to retire; but in this article let’s take a closer look at some of the more psychological variables that one might want to also ponder and consider: Ask yourself: Do you still enjoy your work, or do you dread it or have you reached the burnout point? Someone who loves their job and is lucky enough to engage in work that fulfills them both on an economic as well as a more personal, emotional, intellectually stimulating level, may have a harder time filling that void created by retirement than someone who is less personally fulfilled by their work. Unlimited time for more recreational activities, pleasure reading, travel and family is a good thing of course, but it may not be enough to totally substitute for the intellectual stimulation and rewarding challenges those of us lucky enough to be engaged in an interesting and rewarding career field often experience. Individuals retiring from a busy career get used to the camaraderie of colleagues and cli-
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ents. On settling into the new phase of their retired life, a sudden loss of shared purpose, teamwork and banter can leave an emotional black hole, resulting in loneliness and in some cases even possible depression. Retirement can also bring about changes in marital relationships. When either one or both spouses retire they will find themselves suddenly thrown into prolonged periods of being together, something they may not be accustomed to, and even in the best of relationships will require some time adjusting to. This can cause tension and requires a need to work on a healthy balance of ‘together’ time and ‘alone time.’
Consider what you want to accomplish during your retirement years and develop a blueprint to accomplish your goals. With careful planning and consideration it can be viewed more as a prolonged holiday rather than the ‘end of the road.’ And after your thorough soul-searching if you ultimately decide to take the plunge, give your retirement extra meaning and purpose by incorporating volunteer and community service into your retirement agenda.
Sheyna Steiner, an investing analyst, points out that when it comes to retirement, you can go ‘cold turkey’ but it is going to be a rough and risky road. Don’t wait until the last moment to retire—consider retiring over a two to three year period and transition into the change gradually. This gives one the opportunity to diminish any credit card debt and segue more smoothly into a ‘fixed-income’ living, as well as adapt to the psychological changes and challenges of retirement.
I rest my case.
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In closing—for all you golfers out there, “You might be on the back nine of life, but it’s good to finish strong.” ― Morton Shaevitz
Bob Blanchette is a private practice psychologist in Lake County. HumCollaB.B@Comcast.net HumanCollaborations.com 352.217.0131 Also contributing Michelle Robertson BSc., Dip Psyth., U.K.
December 2015
LUXURY & ELEGANCE
with ocean views from every window.
Picture yourself surrounded by open ocean, romance, adventure, and elegance.
Indulge in fine dining, high teas, and traditional on-island lobster bakes for a perfect Maine island Lighthouse experience.
Each suite pampers guests with separate si ing and sleeping chambers, king sized beds, and luxury private bath.
Photos by Darren Setlow
Resident Inn Keepers, Mark Zinkiewicz and Heather Graham
Surround yourself with sweeping panoramic views of Maine’s Atlantic Coastline and bask in contemporary luxury and design. The custom millwork, beautiful moldings, coffered ceilings and marble bathrooms are the ultimate in cra smanship. The Cuckolds is a unique experience, receiving each guest in contemporary luxury through layers of bespoke cra smanship and design. All honoring the sense of place and Cuckolds history. Your island adventure begins with an ocean cruise to this rocky island. The sounds of the ocean waves lull you to sleep each night.
Come and stay... Reservations: 855.212.5252 www.InnAtCuckoldsLighthouse.com
December 2015
InnAtCuckolds_HalfVert_2015_2.indd 1
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1/8/15 11:42 AM
On Better Living Retiring? Use Your Brain
sorbable, is able to cross the blood-brain barrier and increases the brain’s magnesium levels, which can increase cognitive function. Ginkgo (Ginkgo biloba) has demonstrated that it can reduce anxiety and elevate mood. Gotu kola (Centella asiatica) has been used for centuries to improve cognitive functions and relieve depression and anxiety.
Most of us are not independently wealthy, so other factors normally dictate when we decide to retire. Studies show that health plays a key role in the age at which a person retires. However, some studies indicate that people retire as their heath begins to decline, while other studies indicate that a person’s health declines after they retire. Regardless of the results of the studies, who doesn’t want to be healthy when they retire? Why did you work all those years to not enjoy your “time off?” The good news is that your body is constantly replacing itself. With a few exceptions, most of your body is less than 10 years old! Your red blood cells replace themselves every 90 days, your skin is two to four weeks old, and your bones replace themselves every 10 years. One big exception – and it’s a doozy - is the brain. We are born with all the brain cells we will have in our lifetime, in fact we actually
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lose brain cells as we age. Protecting brain health is critical. There are some key herbs and minerals that have been shown in studies to aid in the protection and support of brain health.
We are born with all the brain cells we will have in our lifetime, in fact we actually lose brain cells as we age. Protecting brain health is critical. Magnesium plays a key role in brain health. But, not all magnesium is created equal. When we supplement with regular magnesium, most of it is used by the body to alkalize an acidic environment and little to none is used by the brain. Research has found that magnesium l-threonate is highly ab-
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Bacopa monniera has been in double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled studies which have confirmed that bacopa has memory-enhancing effects, including memory retention, concentration and recall. A supplement with all four ingredients, in the proper proportions, hits a home run. But, I am always stressing the importance of purity of ingredients in your supplements. If you are taking a product that you know will cross the blood-brain barrier, please make sure it’s a product made by a reputable company. I am “retiring” from retail and transitioning to a consultation-based business. If you would like to learn more, please contact me. Yours in Good Health – The Herb Gal.
Darla Miller is the owner of the Leesburg Herb Shoppe LeesburgHerbShoppe.com 352.315.4372
December 2015
Learn About These Events & More!
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While In Downtown, Enjoy Fine Restaurants. See Menus on-line!
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The Mason Jar If you’re taking a leisurely drive to the Eustis area, you won’t be disappointed if you stop by The Mason Jar. Located at 37534 State Road 19, since 1979, The Mason Jar was the dream of Latrell Key and her sister Paula Gregg, with the hopes of filling the diner deficiency in the town. Quaint and laid-back Umatilla is the perfect setting for sitting down to a menu reminiscent of momma’s southern cooking. The Mason Jar’s menu has changed very little since its inception, with Key’s family recipes withstanding the test of time. Today Keri Greer runs The Mason Jar with her brother Byron Key. It’s a warm and friendly establishment where you will find young men in cowboy hats, local workers enjoying their lunch break and retired men and women catching up on the day’s local gossip. The famed “Table 13” still exists; it’s a long and worn dining table near the restaurant’s entrance and frequented by community movers and shakers to discuss the business of the day. As you approach the entrance, there are large wooden rocking chairs on the “porch,” great photos in the foyer of “days past” and a friendly greeter showing you to your table. We were immediately asked by our hostess for our choice
of beverage while waiting for our server. Our oversized beverages came immediately and our server was very pleasant as she explained all of the day’s specials. We were quite impressed with the selection of 11 specials! All reasonably priced and each with 2-3 side options; from collard greens to skillet cornbread, black-eyed peas, baked macaroni and cheese, cheese grits, pickled beets, mashed potatoes and yams. We had a hard time deciding between many of them; the fried fish of the day which came highly recommended (as it was Alaskan Pollack), the smoked pork chops, burgers and the fried bologna sandwich and soup. We opted for stuffed peppers and a hot roast beef sandwich. For our sides we decided to try the “real southern fare” of black-eyed peas, which were my favorite. They were fresh and well-seasoned with a hint of smoke flavor. The zucchini and tomatoes were deliciously flavored with a touch of sweetness. The dish came with a homemade corn muffin, served warm. The hot roast beef sandwich was piled high and covered in gravy. Choosing the cheese grits as the side was the right decision. The restaurant was quite busy and everyone was extremely welcoming, saying hello to us as they passed by. Our server was attentive and helpful when we asked about dessert
suggestions; she did say the pies were great and everyone loved the peach cobbler. So we opted to try it and the coconut cream pie. The pie was light and creamy and quite good but we were disappointed in the cobbler. It was served hot but it looked like a bowl of baby food – almost all of the peaches were macerated and what we imagined to be the topping, looked like mush. It wasn’t tasty at all. This was the only disappointment we had with our entire meal. The Mason Jar is open Mon - Sat: 6:00am 8:00pm and Sun: 6:00am - 2:00pm Fooderella loved the atmosphere, the “momma-style” food and service, and will return!
FOCUS sends an anonymous, qualified Foodie to review one Lake County restaurant each month and then gives the local owner a chance to respond to the good and/or not-as-positive experiences they’ve had. Our Foodies have worked with the likes of Daniel Boulud, Anne Burrell and Bobby Flay. They have owned and operated their own establishments and are happy to fill you in on local eateries. If you would like to nominate your restaurant or a favorite spot where you dine, contact us at Info@RedApplesMedia.com.
Response: A Community Fixture to See for Yourself
I would like to thank you for allowing me the opportunity to respond to this review. My family and I are very pleased that they had a pleasant visit.
The Mason Jar has been a fixture since 1979. It is located at 37534 State Road 19 in Umatilla. Above is its famous fried chicken, voted best in Central Florida. It is served with homemade mashed potatoes and gravy, candied yams, black-eyed peas, and sweet tea in a mason jar.
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Due to the nature of her description of the menu, it gives me an idea of what time they were here. Which happened to be the rare occasion where neither my brother nor myself was here at the time of the visit. So I would like to give kudos to our fantastic staff who clearly gave a great rep-
resentation of our warmth and made the reviewer feel welcomed and appreciated. In addition to that, we would like to thank our incredible kitchen staff for “stirring” in pride and love in every dish. We are so lucky to have such a loyal, dedicated staff! The Mason Jar family has been serving Lake County for 36 years now and will continue to do so. Thanks for the awesome review!
December 2015
Bringing Ho-Ho-Hope to Life. This holiday season, give the gift of hope. Make a difference in your community by making a donation to LifeStream Behavioral Center Foundation. Your gift will help a child, a family member or an adult who is struggling take steps towards a brighter future. LifeStream provides services to over 22,000 individuals each year and still the need grows. Your support allows us to continue offering vital mental health programs and support services to our community.
To donate, call 352.315.7527 or visit us online:
For Services • 24 hour Access Center 352.315.7800 | 866.355.9394 (toll free)
LSBC.net
New Owners. New Attitude. New Opportunities. Contact us now for more information about multimedia advertising with us. Email us at Info@RedApplesMedia.com
Call 352.801.7106 December 2015
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Chapter X
Haven’t read the first nine chapters of 6 Hands? Go to FocusLakeCounty.com to find them and the continuing serialized story. WRITTEN BY JAIMIE ENGLE Michael sat in a bar in Yonkers that he’d not frequented before. The dim lights cast angular shadows across the glazed cherry-wood bar top. After his meeting with yet another client who’d pulled business away due to Michael’s backward priorities, he was feeling defeated. Sure, he’d reached out to a few people from his past who seemed genuinely willing to give him a second chance, maybe even be a pair of hands carrying his coffin; but overall, he realized how badly he’d screwed people. How many others sat silent on the sidelines? He didn’t want to know. Instead, he’d decided to get sloppy drunk, in a bar where he didn’t know a soul, and never had to face again. “Something ya wanna talk about?” the old-timer serving drinks asked him. Michael peered up, catching the man’s concerned gray eyes. But the eyes reflected in the glass lining the bar behind him, pricked the tiny hairs on the back of Michael’s neck. Who was Michael Jason Green? A multi-million dollar producer? A financial genius? A fraud? A thief? An empty shell of a man who’d sold his soul for fifteen minutes of glory? “Sir?” the bartender prodded. “You gonna be okay?” Michael smirked. “That’s the big question, isn’t it?” He swallowed the rest of his drink and ordered another double; his third, maybe fifth… he wasn’t counting. The bartender poured. Michael stared through the crystal tumbler at the liquid spirit inside. “How long have you been tending bar?” “Longer than I can recall. I like talking to peo-
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ple, see? Get to help some. Figure it’s cheaper than college and I still get to listen to folks’ problems, offer my two cents worth and all.” Michael nodded. “Now, you look like the kinda fella that doesn’t need help. Am I right? Shoot, who’d tell a stranger that?” He washed and dried glasses. “Most times, they’re more lost than the rest.” “You think I’m lost?”
Michael hit the gas. He was over this, over finding answers he didn’t want. Over finding people he didn’t need. He’d made it just fine without them. “Don’t know; don’t matter.” He shrugged as he slid a wine glass into an overhead rack. “But you’re in here drinking away something, aren’t ya?” When Michael didn’t respond, the barkeep said, “I best leave you to your drink.” “You ever wish you could go back and do it all over again?” “Sure do,” he said, leaning closer. “I think most men would agree to that. But there ain’t no do-overs, see? You get today and nothing more, the good Lawd knows. Tomorrow’s not promised to nobody.” “Then how can I ever fix this? I need six, you understand? Six hands, and at this pace, I wouldn’t even put my own name on that list.” “Many hands make light work.” The barkeep smiled. “It’s not like that,” Michael said, resting his head in his hands.
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“Why don’t you enlighten me then, mister? Couldn’t hurt, see? Could help though.” Michael tipped his rocks glass back, draining it. He laid a single bill on the counter, at least double what he owed, and slid uneasily off the barstool. He steadied himself, gave the bartender a tip of his imaginary hat, and said, “Thanks for the drinks.” As he stumbled out, the bartender hollered, “If’n you can’t let nobody in, ain’t never gonna find no six hands, see? Just my two cents worth, Lawdy, and I’m only a lowly barkeep from New Orleans, Mr. Hot Shot.” He guffawed a bellowing taunt that propelled Michael into the streets. A light rain started, and by the time he reached his car—dropping the keys twice near the door before he finally unlocked it and got inside—the sky opened into a downpour. Drenched, Michael sat behind the wheel and started the engine. His headlights caught the rain like a flickering film. Water battered the roof. He backed out and turned onto Sawmill River Parkway. What was he doing? He was fine until Winston had pulled his account. And Michael’d bought into it, went on this stupid quest for enlightenment only to discover he was more messed up than he even realized. Some things aren’t meant to be. The past is the past, and no matter how badly he wanted this to be untrue, it was out of his hands. He’d redeemed a few— Elizabeth, his brother and Gina, maybe even Andrew and Alex, though he doubted that last one—but he’d never find his six. A heartbeat vibrated his car as his passenger side tires hit the rumble strip, bringing him back to the moment as he steered onto the road again. How had he let all this get under his skin? He was self-made. He’d beaten the Crash and the Recession, taking his clients with him, saving their financial asses.
December 2015
Drift. Bump-bump-bump. Recover. Michael hit the gas. He was over this, over finding answers he didn’t want. Over finding people he didn’t need. He’d made it just fine without them. Only he knew that wasn’t true anymore. He could lie to his clients, to his exes, to his family. But he could no longer lie to himself. Tears blurred his already clouded vision. He’d drunk too much to be driving and he knew it. Pummeling rain refracted the lights from an oncoming car as he rounded a bend. He squinted against the glare, swerved over the rumble strip, where his front tire skipped on an oil pool and veered off the pavement. His hands lost control of the wheel. The car snapped sideways and rolled into the wooded ravine.
“Sure did. That concussion must be worse than they thought. What’s hurting?” “Everything hurts.” Michael stared upon Brea’s face, flooded with memories, the way a song can trigger the senses to feel, smell, and taste a moment, as if you’d never left. “What’s wrong, Cowboy? Forget about me?” “Cowboy…wow. Haven’t been called that in a while.” “Haven’t said it in a while. To tell you the truth, I almost didn’t come.”
Darkness. Pines. The smell of chemical fluids and fresh mud.
Michael cringed as he sat upright. “Oh? What changed your mind?”
The car careened down the bank.
Brea shrugged. “Figured if I was it, the only one on your list…what kind of person would I be if I didn’t show up? I don’t know. It’s sad, Mike. I’m sad for you.”
His unbelted body cracked into the windshield with a jolt of pain as he was thrown from the car, and launched into a dreamless sleep where everything turned black. ***** Michael was aware of an explosive pain in his skull that far exceeded the hangover he expected. A perpetual bleep resounded. His body ached as if he’d battled a moose and lost. But he was alive. Forcing his eyes open, it didn’t take long to realize he was in a hospital somewhere, probably Lawrence in Bronxsville. He tried sitting up. Nope. Not happening. A toilet flushed and the door opened. A longhaired woman crossed the room, apparently unaware that he had awakened. He tried to speak, only he croaked instead, and she faced him.
“You always did have a big heart.” “Which is a polite way of saying I’m a sucker.” They laughed. Michael couldn’t pull his eyes away. She was as beautiful as he remembered, more so, even. “What happened to us?” Brea sighed. “The same thing that happens with everyone you love. You got in the way. It’s the cowboy’s curse. Lone Ranger types can’t be tied down if they’re supposed to save the day and ride off into the sunset.” “I’m tired of riding off.” “Ah…but it’s what you do best.”
He knew that face.
That one stung. “I hurt you, didn’t I?”
Tawny freckles, matching her hair, peppered the bridge of her nose beneath eyes the color of denim. She smiled sadly, and he found his voice.
“Oh, Michael. We were quite a team. But so young…we rushed into things.”
“Brea? What are you doing here?”
“You always do. It’s part of your charm.”
“I’m still listed as your next of kin,” she said. “You never changed it? Too busy, I bet. Making money, traveling; more important things in life than taking your ex-fiancée off your list.”
Michael nodded, closed his eyes. “Thank you for coming, Brea. I really don’t want to be alone right now.” His eyes opened, trained upon her. “For whatever reason, I’m glad your name was on that list.”
Michael blinked. “Wait, so they called you and told you I was here?”
December 2015
“I remember it differently.”
Brea stood, then sat on the bedside. Her hand
took his. The same chills he’d long forgotten pricked his skin. “Me too, Cowboy,” Brea said. Michael side-smiled. “How’d I let you get away?” “You found another love.” “No, I didn’t.” “Sure you did.” “Who?” Michael was puzzled. He’d never cheated on Brea. In fact, he hadn’t had a serious lover since their breakup. No one ever compared to her. She smiled. “The seductive mistress, Dow Jones.” Michael laughed. He couldn’t stop. Near hysteria, from the pain in his body and the sting of truth in her words, he laughed until tears rolled down his cheeks. “You’re right,” he finally said. “I dumped you for all that.” “And how’d that work out for you?” Michael’s laughter dissolved. A sadness he couldn’t carry rested upon him. “I’m Ebenezer Scrooge.” Brea’s smile showed those dimples he’d overlooked. “I hope so, Mike, because even Scrooge got a second chance to change his future.” Jaimie M. Engle is an awardwinning children’s book author from Melbourne, Florida. She has written an anti-bullying fantasy adventure called Clifton Chase and the Arrow of Light, and was awarded a BRAG Medallion in 2015. For more info visit JaimiEngle.com
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lifestyle, hanging on to old paradigms on how a home is supposed to look, or buying in the wrong area, are typically some of the reasons for a replacement dream home search. Don’t let the excitement of moving to Florida cause you to make an impatient decision. Look, listen, and know before you buy.
Finding Your Dream Home In Retirement Probably the number one wish for most new retirees relocating to Florida is building or buying the home of their dreams. Just imagine, the kids are finally grown, the days of alarm clocks are gone, and there’s a new life filled with sun and fun awaiting you. The first step into this new lifestyle is finding your dream home. That’s where many new retirees make the first of many bad housing decisions. The number one mistake that most new retirees to Florida make is they are too quick to buy a home. Because of this impatience, it is the norm that most retiring seniors will sell their first retirement dream home within the first five years. Not understanding the Florida
Building a smaller version of their house back home is something some seniors mistakenly attempt, in an effort to hang on to pulled-up roots. Living in Florida is more about lifestyle than yard work and home maintenance. The home you just left was probably built for the functionality of a family and that area’s local look. The last thing you need in your new Florida home is a lot of rooms and square footage. Who wants to be cleaning and mopping when there are things like boating and beaching available? Stucco and cement lap siding homes with vinyl soffits are very popular in Central Florida, because they require little maintenance. A quick pressure-washing can make them look new again. Most Florida retirees want a set-it-and-forget-it house. Florida-friendly landscaping, ceramic tile, and knock-down wall textures that hide imperfections, are just some of the things used by seniors to get out of monthly maintenance projects. For a young retiree (those under 70 years old), life is good because unlike some other old folks, you are in good health. However, keep in mind—everyone gets old. Just because you live in the Sunshine State, time doesn’t stop. When purchasing a home, every retiree should have in the back of their mind the “what-if” health scenarios—in case mobility is lost due to illness, accident, or degenerative disease. As you age, bad things can happen, and your home may have to accommodate a wheelchair, walker, or hospital bed.
It is very important the new home you select is “age-in-place” compliant or friendly. There is little doubt that Florida is magical, with beautiful palm trees and all the wonderful attractions. Unfortunately, the state has a dark side when it comes to seniors being ripped off by unscrupulous contractors. These contractors prey on seniors who have a history of trusting local contractors from the communities they just left. Homeowners should protect themselves by calling their local Home Builders Association for references, verifying state contractor licenses, and requiring proof of workers compensation and general liability insurance. Trust but verify everything—don’t become another victim, and never pay for materials or work that has not been completed. You can have the retirement home of your dreams if you take your time and don’t get overwhelmed with the beauty that is Florida.
Don Magruder is the CEO of Ro-mac Lumber & Supply, Inc. RomacLumber.com
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On Lake County:
Balancing Both Sides of A Debate
I have been practicing economic development in some capacity for over a decade. For seven years, I worked in the private sector as a real estate and development consultant, and for roughly the last five years, I’ve worked in the public sector in a more technical economic development practitioner role. What I’ve learned during that time is regardless of what side of the economic development continuum you are on, private sector or public sector, the key to effective economic growth is balance. Let me explain.
At what point in our society did we forget how to engage in a healthy spirited debate, even when we disagree...? We live in an incredibly polarized society. Republican or democrat, pro-growth or no-growth, Gator or Seminole, we all hold beliefs that to each of us serve as eternal, uncontestable truths. We take these beliefs and inject them into our collective dialogues regarding what is best for the future of our communities. Varying opinions and perspectives are not only okay, but they are required in order to provide the healthy dialogue that is needed to positively impact community growth. Unfortunately, all too often these disagreements turn to vitriol, and the process of community improvement is stopped dead in its tracks.
debate, even when we disagree, that doesn’t transform into a battle filled with scorn and malice? In my opinion, this has been and will continue to be, a major obstacle for our community to move forward.
Obviously, this is not a problem unique to Lake County, in fact it is tormenting almost every level of community discourse. A simple glance at news coming out of Washington DC will confirm that. But, imagine how amazing it would be if our community could be the one to rise above the pettiness. This is where the concept and understanding of balance is so important. Rhetoric and intellectually dishonest debate serve no purpose in the advancement of economic development in a community. Regardless of the issue, there is rarely one answer or one singular solution to a problem. In almost every situation, a balanced approach that acknowledges that each alternative solution possesses both strengths and weaknesses is typically the most effective. While this balanced approach does not fit the narrative that both sides of an issue are so determined to stand by, I have seen time and time again where it is the most effective approach for actually achieving results. As a community, we need to
learn to spend more time listening to the viewpoints of others and less time trying to convince others why our position is correct, because undoubtedly, there will be merits to both sides of the argument. Take for example the highly debated concept of impact fees. Critics argue that impact fees discourage growth by driving up home prices and dissuading businesses from relocating or expanding due to the excessive costs. There are certainly many truths to this argument. On the other hand however, the infrastructure funded by impact fees provides community amenities that are highly desired by homeowners and businesses alike. In other words, too much of an impact fee could discourage growth, but too little could result in an undesirable community. Both sides have merit. Balance. I used impact fees as just one example, but there are hundreds of policy and strategy decisions made every day that could benefit from a reasoned, intellectually honest debate. It is far too easy to stick to our dogmatic viewpoints, so as not to alienate ourselves from those with whom we identify, but it is my hope that Lake County can rise above the narrow-mindedness and anger to find a way to create the healthy discourse needed to guide this great county over the coming years.
Robert L. Chandler IV Director Lake County Board of County Commissioners Economic Growth Department LakeCountyFL.gov
At what point in our society did we forget how to engage in a healthy spirited
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FLASHBACK
EUSTIS High School Circa 1947 Eustis High School opened February 1, 1886 on Orange Avenue, with Professor W.R. Vaughn as principal. The building later became the First Baptist Church and was subsequently destroyed by fire. The church now resides at 3551 E. Orange Avenue and Eustis High School is now located at 1300 E. Washington Avenue. The high school is noteworthy for educating Joe Burnett, Billy Rhodes Jr., Justin Amman, and Anthony Fieldings, all former NFL players, as well as Chris Okey, a former MLB prospect drafted by the San Diego Padres. And most notably, David Walker, former NASA astronaut and US Navy Pilot who flew on Discovery, Atlantis and Endeavour missions.
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