July 2015 FOCUS Being Black in Lake

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July 2015 FocusLakeCounty.com “A Catalyst For Conversation”

Being Black in Lake

INSIDE

2ND story

Author Ray Moore

Separate but Unequal

Six Hands: Chapter V

Segregation Unearthed

MORE • Take Your Dog to Work Day • Foodie: Zac’s Pressed for Time • In Focus Pics: Cops & Arts

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CREDITS FOCUS ON CONTENTS 9 Being Black in Lake

Red Apples Media 734 N. 3rd St., Suite 119 Leesburg, FL 34748

The face of the race issues in Lake County may not be as it appears when first looking at the prejudices that exist in our community.

FOCUS looks at the misconceptions that compound dissension and disparity among residents.

Office 352.801.7106 Email info@RedApplesMedia.com FocusLakeCounty.com

12 Segregation Unearthed: Separate But Unequal

Standards of accuracy: The goal of the writers at

FOCUS Magazine is to provide heartwarming stories that are accurate from the start. Being human however, we sometimes make mistakes. Please forgive us.

Segregation brought these three desegregation changed their lives.

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.

Managing Editor Anthony Rao Anthony@RedApplesMedia.com Junior Account Executive Stephanie Summers SSummers@RedApplesMedia.com Editor/Proofreader Stephanie Sherman SSherman@RedApplesMedia.com Writers Vance Jochim; Nanci Schwartz; Margaret Anderson Photography Bonnie Whicher Photography; Ashton Bracciodieta Contributors Leah D. Conner | Jaime Alonso | Dr. Thomas J. Valente | Robert Chandler | Jacqueline Whitmore | Jason Witzigman | Look online at FocusLakeCounty.com for location distribution listings.

local

residents

together,

16 Take Your Dog to Work Day

June 26 was national Take Your Dog to Work Day. Take a look at some of the businesses that participated and the cute pooches around Lake County.

FOCUS Magazine is published monthly and is available at local Lake County businesses, restaurants and venues.

Publisher Marc Robertz-Schwartz Marc@RedApplesMedia.com

FocusMagazineLakeCounty

July 2015 | Volume 8 Issue 6 | FocusLakeCounty.com

Got a story idea? Looking to advertise in FOCUS? Contact us for more information:

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

Publisher Marc Robertz-Schwartz on why it’s so difficult for him to relate to racism.

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Profiles: Q&A with Freddy Williams

Highlights from Lake Sumter TV’s Profiles interview with Freddy Williams, CEO of the Boys and Girls Clubs of Lake and Sumter Counties.

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Lake’s Legacies: Making a Difference in the Sunshine State

FOCUS looks at the history of Everett Kelly in Lake County and how his political efforts have impacted the community.

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Six Hands: Chapter V

The next chapter in our serial story brings Michael Green to Florida to meet up with a woman who was once a summertime crush.

FOCUS On Philanthropy: Deliver the Difference

Making a difference for hungry families in Lake County. Find out how you can get involved.

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FOCUS On the Issues: A How-to Guide to Tipping or Stiffing

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FOCUS On Mind: Mind and Prejudice

To tip or not to tip when eating out. A restaurateur and an etiquette expert both weigh in.

When it comes to prejudice, the mind matters. Understanding the origins of deep-seated stereotypes.

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FOCUS In Focus: Cops, Kids, and Art

Some pics highlighting this year’s Cops and Kids event at Via Port Florida, plus the Lake County Art Alliance group’s roundtable at Leesburg Center for the Arts.

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FOCUS On Events: Calendar

What’s happening this month all over Lake County? Find out in the community calendar section.

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FOCUS On Innovators: Lake County Treasures

Turn the “Page” to this story and read about a creative and passionate fabric artist who is designing treasures in Lake.

Scan the code to watch July’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.

July 2015

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FOCUS On the Arts: Bay Street Players

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FOCUS Foodie: Zac’s Pressed for Time

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FOCUS On Home: Be More Decisive About Diversifying Your Design

The area’s longest running theatre has plenty for you to enjoy during its theatrical season. Find out more in this article.

Our anonymous foodie sees how quickly Zac’s can impress when you’re pressed for time.

How to keep your home’s style diverse by tying in different types of designs into your layout.

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FOCUS On Better Living: Probiotics and You A layman’s guide to the uses and benefits of probiotics.

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FOCUS On Lake County: Remembering Lake Summers

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FOCUS: Flashback

Robert Chandler IV, Director of Lake County Economic Growth Department takes a nostalgic look back on growing up in Lake County during the summer.

This month, we look at the new digs the Sheriff’s Office just moved into, back when it was still the original Lake County Courthouse.

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PUBLISHER: MARC’S REMARKS Do me a favor, please. Before you continue, close this page and check out the phrase in the upper right corner of the cover below the date.

Go ahead, I’ll wait….

We knew that “A Catalyst for Conversation” was a lofty goal when we set it but something interesting happened late in the day the Friday before this column was due. I shared with the few still at the Red Apples Media offices that afternoon that I was really struggling with how to write this particular intro. That was our catalyst to a conversation about racism vs. discrimination. It led to the three of us – all white – admitting that we have no idea what it’s like to be a racial minority in our community and while we genuinely feel things must be better than 30-plus years ago, who were we to decide?

black church murders in South Carolina just days prior. Later Friday evening, by sheer coincidence, my family and I rented Kevin Costner’s recent film “Black or White,” also about racial stereotypes and divide on both sides of the black and white fence. And, the following morning, the Orlando Sentinel’s sports pages reprinted South Carolina’s football coach, Steve Spurrier’s opinion of the Confederate flag flying over the SC state capitol building – “…I realize I’m not supposed to get in the political arena as a football coach, but if anybody were ever to ask me about that damn Confederate flag, I would say we need to get rid of it. I’ve been told not to talk about that. But if anyone were ever to ask me about it, I certainly wish we could get rid of it.”

It’s clear that there is still hatred, misunderstanding and divide in our country and our community. How are we going to continue to evolve? Talk about it. Address it. Confront it. Together. And perhaps this month’s issue might, in its own microcosmic way, act as a catalyst and inspire such a conversation around your dinner table this evening.

Earlier that morning I had read the headline of my copy of USA Today; “Hate in America” was the umbrella coverage of the horrific

Marc Robertz-Schwartz Publisher, FOCUS Lake County

Reader’s Remarks In case nobody has told you, the latest issue (June) of FOCUS looks killer! Nice job.

Bruce Feustel Marketing Specialist Ro-Mac Lumber & Supply, Inc. Thank you FOCUS for all of the great information you provide.

Darla Miller The Leesburg Herb Shoppe

Waterman Community Foundation Senior Expo The Waterman Community Foundation will be hosting a Senior Expo on August 5 at Lake Receptions, located at 4425 North 19A in Mount Dora, from 10am -– 5pm. We are looking for businesses, professionals, and facilities who provide goods and services for the Senior Community, to take tables or display space at this Expo.

This venue is FREE to the public and we have arranged through a number of facilities to bus in a great number of their residents to attend this event.

If you have a business or are a health, financial, or fitness specialist, and wish to display at this event, contact us at 352.383.1958 or at AL@UACC.org

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Lt. Shannon Bush pictured with his family.

Recognized for Heroism Lake County Fire Rescue Lt. Shannon Bush only thought he was taking a vacation from work when he and his family decided to spend a few days at an Orlando-area resort last week. Instead, the 14-year department veteran and Emergency Medical Technician found himself saving the life of a 4-year-old who nearly drowned.

A little girl, who had moments earlier walked by and said hello to the family, was discovered lying at the bottom of the hotel pool.

“She was lifeless and unresponsive, so I started doing the things I was trained to do,” said Lt. Bush. “I started doing CPR. I gave a couple of breaths, then continued doing compressions while others took over giving breaths. After about two minutes, I checked for a pulse and she had a strong pulse and started moving.”

Within minutes, emergency personnel arrived to transport the child to a local hospital. Lt. Bush, who has since been in touch with the child’s family who had been visiting from Ohio, is happy to report that the child was treated and released from the hospital the next day.

“Lt. Shannon Bush is a prime example of the caliber of firefighters that make up Lake County Fire Rescue,” said Public Safety Chief John Jolliff. “Lt. Bush deserves to be hailed a hero for his swift actions in rescuing this young child.”

Florida has the highest drowning rate in the nation for children under 14, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control.

July 2015

On Philanthropy

to give a hand-up. We have Literacy and GED tutoring classes to help people become all that they want to be.

Organization: Deliver the Difference Year Established: Jan 2010 – when the Haiti earthquake hit. Bob Bostic, our founder, was there on a mission trip as a teen and was very moved by the plight of the people there following the earthquake.

What is your not-for-profit status: 501(c) Non-profit, EIN: 27-4259136 Address: 320 N. Lake Avenue, Tavares, FL 32778. On SR 19 (the road to Howie) Just behind the Shriner Building Phone: 352.343.6700 Web Address: DelivertheDifference.org Email: Info@DelivertheDifference.org Description of Organization: Deliver the Difference is a Hunger-Relief Organization that believes children shouldn’t be hungry no matter who is making decisions for them. We also believe that the only way to break the cycle of dependence is to not only give a hand-out, but

Who do you serve and how: While school is in session, DTD serves approximately 600 children in 15 area schools through our Kidspack Program. This program provides children with a bag of food to carry them over the weekend when school-breakfast and school-lunch is not available. These Kidspacks contain 2 breakfast items, 2 lunch entrees, 2 fruits, 2 beverages and 2 snacks. During school breaks and days off, we make sure the kids have enough for each day they are out. Over the summer months, we concentrate on the Paisley/Lake Mack area since that’s the only local area that has no other program in place. We provide for 7 days at a time, with the Kidspacks being delivered to the area once a week until school starts again.

What are you most in need of and why: There are a few things that we need help with.

Monetary donations are always helpful, of course.

Also, we never seem to have enough lunch entrees donated for the Kidspacks. This is probably because it is the most expensive item in the Kidspack. We’re usually inundated with snacks which are a nice treat, but growing kids need protein!

Our other need is for help from the community!

We need help with everything from answering the phone, to sweeping, to moving heavy items.

Ro-mac’s 70th Celebration Extends to Habitat Recently Ro-mac Lumber & Supply, in partnership with Red Apples Media, donated $1000 to support the efforts of Habitat for Humanity.

The money was a percentage taken from profits of the June edition of FOCUS Magazine which highlighted Ro-mac’s 70 year anniversary and featured a special advertising section with congratulations from many of its vendors.

Habitat for Humanity has many projects in need of the kind of support they are receiving from the community in presentations such as this. One such project is the Veterans Village off of Main Street in Leesburg where more than 200 homes are to be built to supply affordable housing to many area residents who have served in the United States armed forces.

Ro-mac is having a part in this project too. It’s proposed to be built on land supplied by the July 2015

Kent Adcock and Lee Owens of Habitat for Humanity being presented with a check by Ro-mac Lumber & Supply’s Don Magruder.

company next to its now-operating trusses division in Leesburg.

If you are interested in donating to Habitat for Humanity or finding out how to get involved in one of its upcoming projects visit HabitatLS.org

Because things constantly come up, we never know when we’ll need volunteers or what for, so we just ask people to stop in or call when they have a free hour or so. There’s always something that needs doing!

Inspiring words: When you donate money, or food, or your time to Deliver the Difference you rarely know whose life you are touching or how, but we guarantee people in your community are grateful for the help.

Scan the code to watch the summer episode of FOCUS Radio featuring Bob Bostic of Deliver the Difference.

LSSC Seeks Nominations Do you know Lake-Sumter graduates who are making an impactful difference in their career or community? If so, nominate them for the 2015 Distinguished Alumni and LSSC Hall of Fame Awards. The LSSC Foundation, Inc. is accepting nominations through July 16. The Distinguished Alumni and LSSC Hall of Fame Awards will be held Thursday, September 24 at Mission Inn at 6 PM. To be eligible, you must have attended LSSC and completed a three-hour credit or non-credit course or be a Faculty and Staff member who has worked at LSSC. Nomination forms are available online, and more information can be found under “News” on the LSSC Homepage at LSSC.edu

FocusLakeCounty.com

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On the Issues

A How-To Guide to Tipping or Stiffing In full-service restaurants, many people have their own guide of how they tip in accordance with service, personality, and quality of the overall dining experience. Many people will deduct from tips on the basis of quality of food or speed it’s received. This is not proper because the server has no control over how well the food is prepared or how long the kitchen will take to prepare it. The server’s job is to properly take your order and deliver it while making your stay enjoyable and accommodating your needs.

Servers and customers both need to realize with the lower pay scale, that servers are subcontractors of a sort. They get a smaller wage but have the ability to make extra money through service to their patrons.

Many times servers are obligated to tip a busser or hostess 3% or more of their total sales as well as tipping the bar 1%-3%, regardless of whether the table is drinking alcohol or not. Customers need to realize that if they are in a sit-down establishment that their server is usually paying a percentage

FOCUS asked etiquette expert Jacqueline Whitmore, whose sister lives in Mount Dora and frequently visits area restaurants, about the other side of the tipping question you might find yourself face to face with the next time you eat out. What happens when you are unhappy with the service provided?

FOCUS: What type of service would warrant a tip below the acceptable rate or possibly no tip at all? What is the rate accepted nowadays?

JACQUELINE: The acceptable rate these days is 15-20 percent. Those who have worked in the service industry are generally the biggest tippers and tip 20+ percent. If the service is subpar, a customer may want to tip less than 15 percent. But before you start to deduct a server’s tip, take your issues up with a manager first. It may not be the server’s fault entirely for the poor service.

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of what is ordered in the hopes that you will reciprocate. Servers must invest time and money into you, without knowing for sure if you’ll tip, or having any recourse if you don’t.

They must invest 4%-6% into you in hopes of you repaying them the debt, as well as an extra amount to cover their time and service.

As an educated customer I understand there is bad service, food, or environments that occur while dining out. I still feel it is improper to at any time tip less than 10% of your total bill at a full-service restaurant. If a customer had a problem with food, ticket time, or atmosphere, they should ask for a manager and see if he can discount your bill and then tip in accordance to the new total.

There are many different types of restaurants or food service industries where tipping is not expected, or a lesser amount may be acceptable. Half-service restaurants, such as a buffet, have an expected tip average of 5%-10%. Also, the increasingly popular selfservice restaurants, where tipping is not ex-

pected, has become valued by many people.

The fact is that many people would rather do it themselves and not pay for the service.

Many believe that they should not have to tip and that the business owner should pay for the whole amount for the employees.

This would be very difficult to implement, especially here in the US. We are such an incentive-driven country that with flat pay the standard of service would highly diminish. Imagine a world without tipping. One common factor that remains constant in any service industry is that if you would like proper and quality service, the best way of showing appreciation is through gratuity.

Jason Witzigman Japanese Flair Catering and Concession Like them on Facebook: Japanese Flair Catering and Concession

FOCUS: If my server were to get irate with me or challenge me because of a low tip or a stiff because of poor service, how might I handle this?

FOCUS: If I am planning on tipping low because of poor or slow service, what factors should I take into consideration before making my decision?

JACQUELINE: Remain calm if a server gets irate with you. Simply state your concerns and give the server an opportunity to apologize. You should also mention the server’s behavior to the manager.

JACQUELINE: First, discuss your concerns with a manager. Many times the manager can help provide a solution or comp your meal if the service is poor. Or he may give you a meal voucher to use for your next meal. Sometimes it’s not the server’s fault.

Sometimes the kitchen staff gets backed up or the servers have to pick up the slack for someone who does not show up to work or calls in sick.

FOCUS: What is my responsibility, as a customer to the server, to communicate how I feel their service is if I am unhappy and am planning to leave a small tip or none at all?

JACQUELINE: It’s best to discuss your concerns with the server first before making a hasty decision. Sometimes the situation can be resolved quickly or the server can offer you a complimentary dessert or glass of wine.

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Jacqueline Whitmore Author - Etiquette Expert Entrepreneur Founder, The Protocol School of Palm Beach, Inc. EtiquetteExpert.com @EtiquetteExpert

July 2015

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On the Mind Mind and Prejudice

Understanding the Origins of Deep-seated Prejudices How does prejudice affect the mind? What feelings and mental disposition fuels racism, hatred and bigotry? It could come from a primordial fear. Maybe that explains why some heterosexuals are afraid of homosexuals, or whites discriminate against blacks or other races, or possibly why certain religions seem to harbor animosity towards other faiths, or even why some are fearful of the mentally ill. But it might be more than just that.

A lack of understanding, knowledge, or even a person’s cultural or historical background could come into play.

As is well-known, these types of views or behaviors are learned, and not innate in the minds of the youngest of children. But as we grow and learn and experience different things, our views are formed and shaped and eventually our mind is made up about certain cultures or lifestyles. It is much easier to take the clean slate of a young mind and mold it, but how do you affect an already grown adult who has deep-seated beliefs? Why in fact, does racism and bigotry even still exist in such a global society and what can be done on an individual level to stop perpetuating the stereotypes that are still commonplace in today’s modern world?

The brain is a growing muscle, which like any other muscle can be exercised and challenged. Education about other cultures and lifestyles or religions can have a positive impact on the mindset of a prejudiced person.

Self-absorption is also at the root of much prejudicial behavior, and becoming more selfless can affect the mind toward a more open outlook. Because a selfless person reaches out to help people, they are less likely to have the same types of prejudices that people who are more focused on themselves would have.

So reading about other types of peoples is

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one way to educate yourself and open your mind to groups you may have been less inclined to be interested in in the past.

For example, if you were facing a fear of riding an elevator, how would you overcome it? You would probably have to ride one in a relaxed state and expose yourself to the experience to start to feel comfortable using one. Much in the same way breaking down deeply ingrained stereotypes isn’t easy but takes exposure to what it is you are prejudiced against. The best place this can start in society today would be the classroom. This gives a chance for the generation of tomorrow to reshape the way society interacts within itself in the future.

The first question of course in change is whether a person even wants to adjust at all.

In his book, Portraits of White Racism, David Wellman asks whether most people would

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admit their own prejudiced views when questioned, but remarks that those same people’s behaviors when it comes to how they act towards those of other races, betrays their true feelings.

When will everyone realize we are citizens of the same planet? When will people come to grips with the fact that in every nation exists persons that are good and decent. Only by first looking within themselves and examining where the viewpoint first originated, can any of us hope to make a difference in the world around us now and for generations to come come.

Dr. Thomas J. Valente is Medical Director of Lifestream Behavioral Center in Lake and Sumter Counties

July 2015

Being Black in Lake

WRITTEN BY VANCE JOCHIM PHOTO BY BONNIE WHICHER

Is racism still a problem in Lake County? Is poor education a major factor?

John L. Johnson, age 83, an African-American Lake County Schools retiree for 20 years, grew up in Leesburg and became a teacher in a segregated school for blacks.

He watched the community change from the KKK burning crosses on lawns, to blacks not being afraid to walk in town, after 1948 when the Klan was less aggressive locally.

Then he watched schools and communities transition from full segregation to full integration through the 1980’s.

Interestingly, Johnson is not angry about past history, but happy about all the positive results from integration changes since the 1940’s.

Schools were integrated by federal aw in 1954, but desegregation did not reach Lake County schools until 1967. The biggest due to the changes came in 1968, Bill.

Federal Civil Rights er Johnson latbecame Principal at Dabney Elementary School in Leesburg, which was initially a segregated black school, then an integrated Elementary School, but is now closed and being torn down.

July 2015

Yes, there is conflict in other ethnic communities, but those issues may be covered at a different time.

But Johnson, the former Dabney Elementary Principal, says changes in racial relations from school and community integration were more positive than negative.

“When we were segregated, we didn’t have as many occupational opportunities. Most blacks who went to college ended up as teachers, but now opportunities have expanded for entry into most professions. We also were excluded from many things, like access to hotels, restaurants, and clubs.

Integration expanded our world and allowed us to learn to work with other cultures.”

Segregation in Leesburg and other small communities was practiced more than in large cities. Johnson says, “Most people in my generation were called up into the military (via the draft) and after that, they did not come back to Florida, but went to big cities in California or New York for greener pastures.”

What are the challenges that remain in improving race relations through education?

Johnson claims that there is less motivation to learn, in today’s students. “When I taught at Dabney Elementary School, I would lecture black kids who abused their books, reminding them they now get the same books as whites.”

In the segregated past, he said, black students received only the used, obsolete books.

He also says that 40+ years ago, everyone was expected to work, and when summer vacation worked in fields started, black kids to earn money for clothes so “look good” they could when school started up again. “But now they to work,” don’t want cludes. he con-

Many people do not know there is a Leesburg African-American Museum at 220 Mike Street.

***** I visited the museum with the help of administrative assistant, Joyce Jones. The renovated house was tastefully decorated to include a rotating display room and several other rooms including a small library and a group of computer workstations donated by a bank. Unfortunately, no funds exist for docents and the museum can only be seen by appointment. I signed the visitor book and the several names before me, which were a month old, were the Annapolis cadets who visited the museum on their tour in Lake County.

One of the reasons often cited on how to improve ethnic communities is a sense of community, and the museum could be a center for that, but lack of funding and volunteers for full or part-time staff prevents access to use by the community. ***** ***** Lake County was not always kind to blacks.

One former Sheriff, Willis V. McCall, was considered a “bully lawman whose notorious tenure was marked by charges of racial intolerance, brutality, and murder.” He served from 1944 to 1972, and was involved in the notorious Groveland Four case in 1949.

Four black males were held guilty of raping a white teenager, and many questionable legal actions took place. At one time, McCall, while taking two of them to a retrial, shot both prisoners, but one lived to testify against him. There is a whole history about that Sheriff and the Groveland Four, and framed copies of newspaper headlines about him and the trials hang in the Leesburg Afcan Museum. rican-AmeriThis type of bla tant unlawful situation was typical of the times in the early 1950’s, and the low point of racial relations in Lake County.

You can look up “The Groveland Four” or Sheriff McCall by name to read more.

*****

***** Although past historic hate or racial conflict was mostly against African-Americans, there was a recent religious defamation incident in Mount Dora in 2011.

The the members of the Jewish Traditional Congregation of Mount Dora were surprised to find, according to the Orlando Sentinel, that vandals spray-painted hateful words and symbols on all sides of their neighborhood synagogue.

Many non-Jewish members of the community came out to clean up the damage.

Within a few days, the leader of the incident posted on Facebook about it, and was soon arrested. Three other young people were later arrested as participants in the vandalism. ***** ***** Positive actions have taken place to improve African-American sense of community, including the establishment of an African-American “Men of Distinction” group in Leesburg. The community leadership group is involved in Black History month, and hosts a Black-Tie Gala, which celebrates Leesburg’s outstanding citizens, volunteers, teachers, students, and clergy members who have been leaders within the local African-American community.

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According to Pastor John Christian, former Mayor and current Leesburg City Commissioner, there is a planned boot camp for high school freshman from Lake, Marion, and Sumter counties to help all participating students, including African-American kids, assimilate into high schools. According to Wildwoodbased organizer Yolanda Presley, it will include follow-up sessions after each nine-week term. It will be held on August 1 in Leesburg and school administrators are being notified in late June about the privately sponsored program.

If you want more information, ask your high school about the program, or you can call 888.263.6576, or email BeInspired2Live@aol.com. Note: We provide this information without verifying the background of the sponsors. We expect local school staff will do that.

Other positive programs in the Leesburg area were scholarship programs by community groups for African-American students, and a parenting class for new parents on how to raise kids and deal with the school system. But they don’t always continue or obtain consistent funding.

Leesburg Elementary Principal, Dr. Patrick Galatowitsch, told us there are more bi-racial couples and he sees them all the time, so integration is becoming the normal situation.

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“In general,” he says, “residents are more accepting” of that. However, old time community leaders may not be as comfortable yet with integration. Galatowitsch, who is white, then tells me that his wife is a highly educated African-American.

Galatowitsch has a track record of greatly improving low ranking schools in other counties before moving to Lake County.

He implemented Saturday homework makeup days for students who were absent the prior week. He says poverty and low parent education is a big factor in performance of students, and it takes work to break the kids out of that pattern. In high poverty homes, he says, parents have fewer books and fewer intelligent conversations at meals. Thus students do not have any positive adult interaction. “If we send books home with students in low-income homes, nothing happens. They and their parents do not understand the importance of developing literacy skills.

But the books are actually used in middle-class homes. Poverty is generational.” ***** *****

July 2015

In Eustis, citizens are concerned about jobs for African-American youth, and poor rankings of local elementary schools with low-income students, including African-Americans.

One citizen gave public input at a City Commission meeting and said that local African-American kids had nothing to do when out of school so they committed crimes.

The Eustis City Commission recently met with Lake County School Board members to brainstorm ideas to improve student grades and performance at two local elementary schools which have many African-American students. The effort was led by then-Mayor Albert Eckian, who gathered all the ideas for review by a committee. Ideas included an increase in adult mentors for students, taking action on poor attendance, funding of counselors, and possibly examining the negative effect of Common Core curriculums on student progress.

Unfortunately a recent City Commission squabble about a vendor contract resulted in Eckian resigning out of frustration. Thus the implementation of the ideas to improve the two Eustis middle schools through community involvement may be on hold. We do not know if other Commissioners or the new Mayor will pick up the project and take action. ***** ***** What actions are needed in Lake County to improve jobs, education, and safety of local African-Americans?

Leesburg Elementary Principal, Dr. Patrick Galatowitsch, says low grades in school are not related to racism, but due to lack of economic opportunities, lack of attendance, and lack of knowledge on how to succeed.

Some people believe any improvement in race relations and economic parity depends on reduction of poverty and also that the economic future of ethnic students depends on adequate education. My observations are that to improve student success, leaders are needed to facilitate programs like: Mentors in each classroom to provide values guidance as well as knowledge guidance.

Students need to be informed about how important education, homework, and attendance is on a continual basis. “We don’t need money help, we need people that care,” says Dr. Galatowitsch. Recently he worked with the Daily Commercial to produce an article asking for mentors.

July 2015

This type of blatant unlawful situation was typical of the times in the early 1950’s, and the low point of racial relations in Lake County.

Attendance in school is a major factor in student success. The Lake County Schools have reduced tardiness and absenteeism in many students, but more work is needed by parents and community leaders.

Establishment of jobs programs for kids is needed during the summer, or part-time during the school year. It used to be many kids worked some, but now they seem to resist manual work and just sit. At one time there were Federal jobs programs for kids, according to John L. Johnson, but those programs don’t exist anymore.

Reading, writing, and math skills need improvement. Many employers gripe about low skills in those areas, but Lake County schools have expanded reading and writing classes in recent years. If students cut class or don’t do homework, they won’t keep up.

Dropout rates need to be reduced. Lake County Schools have worked on reducing dropouts and the dropout rates have dropped in the recent 2-3 years since some “student retention” programs were rolled out.

Students need to be exposed to values if their parents don’t provide guidance. They need to learn not to be late, acceptable dress standards, use of proper English expected by employers, and other values.

Community vol-

unteers and leaders are needed to set those expectations for students, not just teachers.

Teachers need diversity training, especially new ones, on how to deal with African-American students and their culture.

“How do they handle an angry black male?” says Christian. They need to know that or incidents may occur.

More guidance counselors are needed. Christian explained that Leesburg High School has 500 incoming freshman and one guidance counselor. The students are not coping with Common Core lessons and parents can’t help with homework anymore. They are told they cannot meet with their kids’ teachers without talking to guidance counselors first, and time is never available for parents to see counselors just to schedule a meeting with the teacher. “At some point,” says Christian, “we need to stop blaming just parents, and get the proper school resources to help students.”

“Teachers need to find ways to get students energized and motivated to learn,” says Dr. Galatowitsch.

It seems most racial bias is gone in Lake County, but now the racial economic gap is the issue, leading to angry, unemployed African-Americans and actions like the above need implementation.

Author Vance Jochim is a retired corporate internal audit manager from California now living in Tavares, FL. He has published a local watchdog blog FiscalRangers.com since 2006.

In 1951, Samuel Shepherd and Walter Lee Irvin were shot by Sheriff McCall while being transported from Raiford.

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WRITTEN BY NANCI SCHWARTZ

SEGREGATION UNEARTHED: SEPARATE BUT UNEQUAL

When Sumter County schools integrated in 1967, South Sumter High School wanted L.C. Coney. As band director of the all-black Mills High School, Coney had created one of the best high school bands in the region, one that was requested to perform when dignitaries came to town.

Originally appointed as the assistant band director, Coney soon led the program. Initially there were no major problems until the school changed its mascot from the Rebels to the Raiders.

“That began four or five months of hell,” said Coney of the backlash from white residents upset about the change. “Then we all got along fine. When I got there, there were two band buses–one for the blacks and one for the whites. I decided that there would still be two buses but I told them where to sit and don’t be late. They sat together in class, why not on the bus?”

Coney earned an education degree from Florida A&M University in 1958 thanks to a music scholarship. A saxophone and clarinet player, Coney first earned recognition for his musical talent while at Eustis Vocational High School, one of two all-black high schools in Lake County. He also played football, basketball, baseball, and ran track.

He remembers the band directors at Eustis Vocational High School fondly. “They were tough.

It’s a fullConey.

why I got ride,” smiled

He also remembers the disparity between the all-black and all-white schools. As a student at Eustis Vocational School, Coney said he knew who all the kids were at the all-white Eustis High School. “Their names were in our textbooks. We only got hand-me-downs, never any new anything.”

As a teacher at Mills High School, Coney said he was paid less than the white teachers in the county and his band program received less money for instruments and materials than the white schools.

Coney is a legend in the region and across the state for his musical talent, and was a runner- up for Florida Teacher of the Year in 1981. He retired in 1991 after 33 years with Sumter County Schools and has been recognized many times for five decades of teaching and service to students and the community.

The awards and honors that Coney helped Eustis Vocational High School earn from 1950-1954 were among the many trophies, plaques and uniforms that were buried in some woods after Lake County schools integrated, and the principal of Eustis High School didn’t want the accolades from the all-black school displayed.

PHOTO BY NANCI SCHWARTZ

L.C. Coney received many awards and honors for his musical talent both as a student at EVHS and later as the band director at South Sumter High School. He has been recognized both as an accomplished musician and an outstanding teacher.

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From Umatilla, Carroll had to ride a bus to school. “We’d get picked up before 7 a.m. and the bus would go to Paisley and Moss Bluff (near the Marion County line) before bringing us back to Eustis for school,” remembered Carroll. “We’d get home just before dusk after school.”

On days that Carroll had practice or games, she would stay with friends in Eustis because she didn’t have a way to get home.

Carroll is very proud of her accomplishments at Eustis Vocational High School and still has the felt “E” given to her after the basketball championship.

“But I was too poor to buy a sweater to sew it on,” said Carroll. She has saved programs, certificates and newspaper articles about her school and its accomplishments, as well as published documents about her family’s contribution to Umatilla’s Southside community where she still lives.

The trophies her teams won were also among those buried. Recovered in 1968 by members of the black community, the items were cleaned and housed by Carla Mitchell, a Eustis resident, until 1998 when a small museum was created in the gymnasium of the former all-black school, now the Eustis High Curtwright Campus.

Some of the trophies, including Bertha Carroll’s, were broken during the attempt to dispose of them. They are among those displayed at the school – still in pieces – and are reminders of the school’s accomplishments as well as the community’s attempt to disregard them.

The Long Road

Committed to the Community

Bertha Dobson Carroll was a drum major in the Eustis Vocational High School band with Coney. She also played basketball and was on teams that won state championships in 1952-53.

After graduating from Eustis Vocational High School, Carroll became a nurse’s aide and private duty nurse. She also worked in the nearby juice plant. She says she focused on raising her five children—four boys and a girl—who all

July 2015

Law of Fear Ask Bertha Carroll and Loraine Coney about whether Lake County has progressed in terms of racism, and they’ll say it has. They agree on the reason why: Willis McCall is no longer sheriff.

Both recall the fear of being black in Lake County when the late McCall was the law.

McCall’s 28-year period of public service has been documented and analyzed by local and national publications and news outlets as one filled with civil rights violations, corruption, abuse, and lawsuits. McCall resigned from office in 1973 and died in 1994.

“It has grown so much since then.

They were terrible,” said Coney while recalling threats and intimidation by law enforcement. “I remember asking ‘why do you hate me? I haven’t done anything to you.’”

PHOTOS BY BONNIE WHICHER

Bertha Carroll holds the letter she earned when her EVHS team won the state championship. The team’s trophy was broken during an attempt to bury the school’s accomplishments after integration.

attended Umatilla High School. Having graduated from an all-black school, Carroll admitted she was hesitant about her children attending an integrated school.

“It was kind of scary but it got better. They were actually very nice at the high school,” said Carroll.

Three of Carroll’s children went on to serve in the army. “I had three sons in at one time and at some point they were all at Fort Stewart in Georgia and then all three were in Germany at the same time. I am real proud of them,” said Carroll.

Over the years, Carroll says she’s tried to be involved in making her community a better place to live. She recalled when the local park had become a haven for drug activity and crime and the police were often called out.

“Someone from the city asked me what we should do and I told them to close the park and have the police come out on Sundays with their horses, to greet the community,” said Carroll.

“People wanted to kill me. They closed the park and after five or six weeks, the bad element moved on and it became safe for us again.”

July 2015

Carroll says that McCall actually did help the black community at times and produced a newspaper article stating the former sheriff had donated a siren for a fire truck destined for the Southside community.

“We all make mistakes,” said Carroll. “G-d is a forgiving god.”

Just Education Was Obtained, documents the challenges of getting an education, for students who were limited by lack of transportation, financial means, government support, and the color of their skin.

However, Mitchell’s opinion of integration and the parity it was supposed to bring might surprise many.

“Integration was the worst thing to happen to black people,” said Mitchell. “African-American parents were proponents of education. That was our ticket out of the struggle. You had to get an education so you could leave the orange groves, the white people’s kitchens, and the hotels. Whatever the teachers said or did was gospel. When integration started, black kids went to school and saw how the white kids disrespected teachers. They had never seen that before.”

Mitchell notes that the Parent Teacher Association at Eustis Vocational High School was the reason the school had team and band uniforms, equipment and other essentials that were otherwise provided by the School District to the white schools.

“After integration, we got a better education, better books, and better classrooms, everything that white kids had,” said Mitchell. “We lost the camaraderie. We lost the respect that we had for our teachers. We got what we wanted but we lost what we had.”

Parity Perception Both agree there is room for progress regarding race relations and equality in Lake County.

“There are still a lot of things that we need,” said Carroll. “If you come down my road, you’ll see it’s never been swept. They need to call a meeting and ask the people how we can work together to improve the county. It doesn’t have to be a lot of meetings but don’t wait until something bad happens.”

Today, Coney believes blacks do not have pay equity, except maybe teachers who are unionized. “I’d like to change the attitude of some people. Some have that old feeling,” said Coney.

“Some people have changed their perception of black people for the good and there are others who say they changed but under false pretense.”

Carla Mitchell, also a graduate of Eustis Vocational High School, published a book about education in the Eustis community during segregation. The book, Journal of the Past: Remembering the Times when More Than

PHOTO COURTESY OF BUSINESS MASTERS

Carla Mitchell published a book about the Eustis education she received.

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rofiles

Q&A with Freddy Williams

PROFILES: We’re just going to dive right in because you actually have a history with the Boys & Girls Clubs. Take us back to when you were a kid, enrolled.

Ceo, Boys & Girls Clubs of Lake and Sumter Counties

FREDDY WILLIAMS: Well, the Boys & Girls Clubs is a youth development organization, we serve kids from six to 18 years old, every day, while school’s out, during holiday breaks, we’re open every day until 6pm and when school is FREDDY WILLIAMS: I go way back with out we are open from 7am to 6pm. Every day the Boys & Girls Clubs, started off as a club we have programs in five different areas. The kid in middle school. I came from a two-parfirst is education and career development. We ent working household want all of our kids to progand needed a safe place ress to the next grade level to go after school. Realand graduate from high school ly, really, really enjoyed with a plan for the future but the club, it’s so much also be career-oriented, knowmore than just a place ing what they want to do after to go after school. In that. The second is healthy fact, while I was in high life skills. We want kids to school I was offered engage in prosocial activities a job opportunity to and ensure that they abstain serve as junior staff and from risky sexual behavior, had the glorious job of drugs and alcohol abuse. Next cleaning up in the locker is character and leadership derooms and at that point velopment. We want to make I learned a lot of work sure that our kids become ethics and what it meant productive members of socito give back and work ety and engage in democratic hard for everything you processes and give back to the have. community. The next is art.

We want kids to embrace their PROFILES: So, when creativity. And finally, sports Freddy Williams, CEO of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Lake and Sumter Counties you sort of look at that and recreation. So, within during his interview with Marc Robertz-Schwartz on LSTV’s Profi les . history, was there a mothose five different program ment in time where you areas we know that that helps said to yourself, I want this to be part of my to develop a child. Our programs have been to cut back inside the Boys & Girls Clubs, future, I want to be affiliated with the Boys around since 1860, these programs work. so from that point I said that I wanted to & Girls Clubs, or did it just sort of fall into try to do something to help bring money your lap?

PROFILES: We’ve heard you recently talk in for Boys & Girls Clubs. So, I went to UF about some statistics… about zero pregnanand studied political science and economics cy rate… staying in school… give us sort of a FREDDY WILLIAMS: It kind of fell into with the hopes of becoming a lobbyist to try my lap. I’ll never forget, I had a program handle on what those were. to bring resources to Boys & Girls Clubs... director at the Boys & Girls Clubs in Panama I graduated from college, became a politiCity and I never could figure out why he was cal campaign strategist and consultant and FREDDY WILLIAMS: Ok, we knew from an anecdotal standpoint that we were so difficult on me and it just seemed like during the downtime I was very active with he would never cut me a break. I’d come in the Boys & Girls Clubs. As a volunteer in col- doing things well here in Lake and Sumter and he said I couldn’t play basketball until I lege and after college I joined as a volunteer Counties but we wanted to know on what pathway we were getting there. So we went finished my homework. I finished my homefundraiser on the Unit Board in Gainesville work, he’d re-check it, have teachers go over and was asked during the downtime of a po- through an evaluation process and found that 85% of our kids read at or above grade it, show my work and finally I said, “Why are litical season to consider maybe fixing some you giving me such a hard time?” and he programs. said, “Well, I expect more out of you because I think more of you and you’re going PROFILES: For those that aren’t familiar, Scan the code to watch to go someplace in life.” give us sort of a general overview… what is this month’s episode of “Profiles” featuring the Boys & Girls Clubs? What are the proFreddy Williams.

PROFILES: Have you used that line with grams they offer, and who is it really intendothers? ed for?

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FREDDY WILLIAMS: I have used it with some of our kids, yes, I have. I will never forget in high school the program director said we had to cut back on some of our snacks that we had after school because of funding and I said, “Well, what about funding?” and they explained how, you know, there were cuts at the state and they had

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July 2015

level and when you compare that locally in the State of Florida, the peers of our Boys & Girls Clubs members, less than 31% of them read at or below grade level. That translates to kids that attend Boys & Girls Clubs nearly being 2½ times more likely to read at or above grade level which is preparing them for middle school, preparing them for high school. They don’t feel as if they are disengaged in high school which in turn makes sure that they understand they have a plan for the future, they will graduate from high school and they are abstaining from risky sexual behavior and not getting arrested.

PROFILES: So in addition to your own metrics has there been any kind of third party evaluation that has been done to sort of quantify your success?

FREDDY WILLIAMS: Yes, in fact Boys & Girls Clubs collectively through the State of Florida went through a five year evaluation process through Florida Tax Watch and what [they] did is took a sampling size of all Boys & Girls Clubs members that attended throughout Florida and we found that there were some tremendous economic savings to the state specifically for taxpayers. In fact, for every child that progressed to the next grade level that attended the Boys & Girls Clubs, there’s a tax savings of over nine thousand dollars a year. And for every one hun-

dred kids that we helped graduate from high school there’s an aggregate over twenty nine million dollars for every hundred children.

“Why are you giving me such a hard time?” and he said, “Well, I expect more out of you because I think more of you and you’re going to go someplace in life.”

PROFILES: Now, how many kids do you serve at any given time? Is it during the school year? What is your window of time and how many kids do you serve in that period?

FREDDY WILLIAMS: After school we serve about four hundred children and during the summer we serve about nine hundred children. We have what we call an average daily attendance so at any given time we know how many children are inside our club and what those averages are. Collectively through both counties last year we provided services to nearly three thousand children.

rofiles

PROFILES: Your signature event is coming up, give us some quick information on that.

FREDDY WILLIAMS: August 22 at Mission Inn is our Black and White Ball. For ticket information, please give our office a call at 352.787.5258. We have very limited sponsorship opportunities.

PROFILES: And it usually sells out, too.

FREDDY WILLIAMS: It always sells out. It has sold out under J. Scott Berry’s leadership.

PROFILES: If you want to hang out with the cool kids, get in on your tickets now is really what you’re saying.

FREDDY WILLIAMS: They need to get in early. Yes. PROFILES: If I’m not mistaken the Black and White Ball was recognized on a national level, wasn’t it?

FREDDY WILLIAMS: Yes, it was recognized at the national level. It was [recognized] for re-branding it. J. Scott Berry, who is our Events Chair, did a phenomenal job of re-branding our signature event and… [the revenue] goes directly to our kids in making sure we get more kids in the Clubs so we can serve them with greater impact.

Watch the one-on-one interview with Freddy Williams on the Award-Winning Profiles Featuring

Mon • Wed • Fri 7a & 7p Tue • Thu • Sat 10:30a & 10:30p Comcast 13 • Bright House 498 • FL Cable 4 LakeSumterTV.com

July 2015

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laundry room door. But I’ll be honest, with some strategic morning stalking and just the right look, I can make it pretty clear that I would like to go to work even if that wasn’t the plan.

I know the route, I know the smells, I know the turns. I’m not a big fan of those mornings when we have to make stops at the post office or the bank (although sometimes I get treats from the tellers at the drive-up.) The longer it takes me to get to the office, the longer it takes for me to do my job. Yes, I have a job.

WRITTEN BY MOCHA VP OF NAPPING & INTERNAL RELATIONS FOR RED APPLES MEDIA

When I was asked to write this column, the first thing I thought was, “Do I have to be awake for this?” The second thought I had about Take Your Dog to Work Day was, “Why wouldn’t every day be Take Your Dog to Work Day?” At Red Apples Media, (the publisher of FOCUS Magazine Lake County), I have the unique opportunity of going to the office with my person on a fairly regular basis. I can generally tell when I will be going to work when I see my day bag packed by the

Tail wagging and in full sprint, I visit everyone already in the office, one by one, showing them my appreciation for their decision to be part of our unique culture and organization at Red Apples Media. OK, the rub of the ears and many high-pitched nicknames I’m called, (Mo, Mocha, Mochaccino, Mo-Mo, to name a few) are not bad ways to start the day for me either.

Sure, I’ll nap a lot during the day – often lulling my co-workers into a mid-afternoon sleepiness as I fill the office with my snoring. But I would rather be at work than at home by myself any day. I find myself more energized when I am around my co-workers, and at the age of 12ish that’s a big deal for me. But I also think I bring a dynamic to the office that wouldn’t otherwise exist. Visitors generally enjoy my welcoming them. I rarely bark, I’m not a jumper and if it’s

someone who comes to the office on a regular basis like a delivery person, I might not even get up at all – just simply arc my head to look at them and acknowledge their visit. After all, if you greet everyone the same, no one knows when they’re being treated special.

My office isn’t alone. Entrepreneur Magazine cites research by the American Pet Products Manufacturers Association, that about 20 percent of all companies in the United States allow employees to bring their pets to the workplace and dogs account for 76% - as well it should, be. The study further showed offices which had a dog showed significantly higher mutual trust, team bonding and intimacy than those that worked without one. You can’t argue cats. I mean, stats.

But dogs aren’t for every workplace and by no means should you use my very biased experience as the framework for your argument to bring your dog to work. The responsibility is shared. Employees and employers need to know their business and clients, and the dog has to be suited for that specific environment. I know I have to behave or I may be sent home (without pay). And then all the stalking the next morning will do me no good in my efforts to get my day bag packed.

Scan the code to watch a trip to the Red Apples Media offices from Mocha’s perspective in this month’s FOCUS TV.

funds to care for their animals properly. Donations of funds and supplies from the community allow Cornerstone Hospice Pet Peace of Mind to provide patients and families the “peace of mind” they need.

Pet Peace of Mind Those of us who are animal-lovers understand that our pets are part of our families, and offer unconditional love and comfort.

Founded by The Banfield Charitable Trust, Pet Peace of Mind is a national organization that enables hospice patients and families to keep their pets with them throughout their end-of-life journey. Cornerstone Hospice Pet Peace of Mind is the first hospice in the state of Florida to introduce such a program, where our staff and volunteers can also ad-

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dress the needs of our animal family members. The program relies on specially-trained volunteers to assist patients and families with their pets’ needs, including: • • • • • • •

Basic in-home care Dog walking Pet waste clean-up Bathing and grooming Pet food and cat litter Flea & tick treatment, and/or Routine vaccinations and medications

Patients may not be physically able to care for their pets, or families may not have the

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In addition to offering pet care services, Cornerstone Hospice Pet Peace of Mind works to educate families and the community to have a plan for their pets should they be unable to care for them, either by employing our volunteers to assist with care, or establishing advance directives for rehoming. The program is designed to ensure that pets are not left behind. Cornerstone Hospice Pet Peace of Mind is not a rescue, however we work with local rescues and animal welfare organizations to aid in rehoming when necessary.

Pet Peace of Mind relies on volunteers, monetary donations and/or gift cards, and foster families. Call 352.343.1341 or email PPOM@ CSHospice.org to help.

July 2015

B.E. Thompson, Lifestream, “I think dogs in the workplace are very therapeutic and support the idea 100%! My dogs, Gator and Tebow, are AWESOME!!!”

M. Paul Speert, SAS Promotions & Branding, “EVERY DAY is bring your dog to work day at SAS. In fact... I bring both of them.”

Bob and Linda Poliquin, retired in The Villages, don’t have to go to work anymore so Chloe is always with them.

Emily, one of the termitedetecting K9s at Dean’s Services in Leesburg, takes a break after a long day of work sniffing out termites.

Brooke with her dog Sophie at the Northgate Animal Clinic.

Amy Dunkel, Merry Maids, “We bring our dogs to work because they are our family. I wouldn’t leave a child home alone while I worked all day would I? They love coming to work and spending time with us all day!”

Becca Rao, PetSmart dog trainer, gets helps scheduling her training classes from her workmates, Mimi and Shea.

352.787.8533

NorthgateAnimalClinic.com

2473 Citrus Blvd. • Leesburg, FL 34748

Hours: Mon.-Thu. 8am-5pm • Fri. 8am-4pm

Dr. Richard “Bailey” Clark Veterinarian

July 2015

Northgate Animal Clinic Family

Wellness Exams Vaccinations Laser Therapy Microchips In-house Diagnostics Digital Radiography Dentistry Senior Wellness Management of Chronic Illness Allergy Testing & Management Parasite Screening & Prevention Pain Management Surgery Click the code to watch Northgate Animal Clinic in this month’s “Profiles” on Lake Sumter TV.

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Heather Graham’s dog Chloe “at work” at the Inn at Cuckolds Lighthouse, ME

LUXURY & ELEGANCE

with ocean views from every window.

Marni and Paul Lewis, who own the Green K-9 in Mount Dora, always have their pooch L.B., a rescue, at work with them.

Picture yourself surrounded by open ocean, romance, adventure, and elegance.

Michelle Wargo, Red Apples Media, brings her dog Cocoa to work on a regular basis.

This month is all about your pooches

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

Be sure to listen July 2 at 1:30pm to my790AM Call in to 352.787.WLBE (9523)

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...

Then watch the program all month long on LSTV. Comcast 13 • Brighthouse 498 • Florida Cable 4

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Reservations: 855.212.5252 www.InnAtCuckoldsLighthouse.com

InnAtCuckolds_HalfVert_2015_2.indd 1

July1/8/15 2015 11:42 AM

Lake’s Everett Kelly: Making a Difference in the Sunshine State WRITTEN BY VANCE JOCHIM

Any time you go to an event at Lake-Sumter State College, you might end up in the Everett A. Kelly Convocation Center.

Who is that guy? Why did they name the Convocation Center after him?

Everett A. Kelly is a former Lake County Florida House Representative, who was in office for 22 years until 2000 when new term limits ended his term. He is alive and well, living with his wife Tara in the Lady Lake area. He grew up in a poor family of 12 kids in Alabama. At one time, they lived in an old chicken coop for eight months.

Kelly’s first degree was in Zoology from Florida State University, then he went to Pharmacy School at the University of Florida, and later owned a pharmacy in Mt. Dora for several years.

Florida State Senator Alan Hays says of Kelly: “He is a giant of a man in generosity to others.

He touched the lives of people in this area.”

This is from a Republican about a Democrat.

Everett and his wife Tara both have children from former marriages. They met after his divorce over 20 years ago, and she was active in supporting him in his work. Tara circled around as we talked; they are clearly a close couple, looking out after each other at home or on the road. They live in a mini-forest and Tara designed the winding single lane road that leads to their house. When asked for pictures of them, she grins, saying she doesn’t have any, that all the pictures are of him, including a massive painting above the fireplace of Everett when he was Speaker Pro-Tem with T.K. Wetherell as Speaker in 1991-1992. “She probably has every article written about me,” Everett confided.

Kelly was a Democrat and believed in helping local agencies obtain funds from the Florida budget for requested projects. You won’t find him cited in articles about nasty political fights

July 2015

or schemes, but as the initiator or facilitator in obtaining funds or government approval for Lake County projects. Some projects included: Implementing passage of a bill to establish the 911 system in Lake County, then Sumter County. A few large counties already had it.

Remaining smaller counties requested to be added to the legislation, which then extended 911 systems to all Florida.

Finding funds to expand and renovate the gym and conference center at LSSC which is named after him.

Facilitating the Florida State Department of Transportation (FDOT) approval for the golf cart bridge over Highway 441 requested by The Villages founder H. Gary Morse. FDOT resisted but finally approved a slower traffic speed on Highway 441 in the area of the golf cart bridge. That happened after Kelly invited them to a meeting with Morse and staff in Tallahassee in the Florida House Speaker’s conference room. “Morse was always very quiet about things like that.” I visited the golf cart bridge with Everett and Tara, and while taking pictures, his political skills came back as he constantly smiled and waved at passing golf carts while standing by a plaque “Everett C. Kelly Causeway” which Morse named after him.

Eight million dollars to build the Institute of Public Safety on Lane Park Cutoff off HWY 561. “The proposal was for a local fire and safety training institute,” said Kelly, “but when I went to the bill-drafting department, they said state funds could not be used for a county level project, it had to be regional. So we changed the name and made it a regional training facility, and got the funding.”

Widening of the I-95 bridge over Lake Panasoffkee to reduce frequent truck accidents.

FDOT found the $15 million needed and added a turnout lane in each direction. “Since then,” Kelly smiles, “to my knowledge there have not been any accidents in that area.”

1978 Photo of State Representative Everett Kelly

Courtesy: State Archives of Florida, Florida Memory

Kelly also was highly interested in anything to do with water quality. “At one time, if you went out at night on Lake Apopka, you would not hear any wildlife like on other lakes. The lake was dead.” He was instrumental in Florida actions to buy all 21 of the muck farms on Lake Apopka for $95 million and eliminate their use of fertilizers that had greatly damaged the water quality. “I am proud of that,” he stated.

Kelly has authored four books since his 2000 retirement, and they are in the Lake County Library system as well as on Amazon.com. “The Atlatl” about the history of the South Florida Calusa Indians who defied Spanish explorer Juan Ponce de Leon, and later killed him while defending their land and homes. “Ida’s Caleb,” about three post-Civil War families who moved from Georgia in the 1870’s to the central Florida Lakes region. “Tiny Tom,” a children’s book. “A Memoir – from Nothing to Fulfillment,” about his family history in Alabama to his retirement.

Lake County is a better place because Everett Kelly, with help from wife Tara, brought home “the bacon” for local projects. Remember them every time you call 911, go to that Convocation Center, visit north Lake Apopka shores, drive I-95 over Lake Panasoffkee, visit training classes at the Institute of Public Safety or take a golf cart over The Villages Bridge.

Author Vance Jochim is a retired corporate internal audit manager from California now living in Tavares, FL. He has published a local watchdog blog FiscalRangers.com since 2006.

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July 2015

July 2015

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On Events Every Saturday; 8 AM – 1 PM Leesburg Saturday Morning Market LeesburgSaturdayMorningMarket.com July 4; 6 – 10 PM Leesburg 4th of July Celebration Venetian Gardens, Leesburg

July 12; 9 AM – 8 PM CFSA Soccer Camp National Training Center, Clermont For More Info 352.241.7144

July 11; 2 PM African Movement & Drumming Experience Public Library, Leesburg For More Info 352.728.9790

July 20; 9 AM – 12 PM Florida Rush Development Camp National Training Center, Clermont For More Info 352.241.7144

July 13; 11 AM Mr. Bob’s Magic Show Public Library, Leesburg For More Info 352.728.9790

July 20; 9 AM – 12 PM Florida Rush Goalkeeper/Field Player Camp National Training Center, Clermont For More Info 352.241.7144

July 15; 11 AM Robin Hood Puppet Show Public Library, Leesburg For More Info 352.728.9790

July 25; 7 – 8:30 AM NTC Lace It Up Series: Caped Crusader 5K National Training Center, Clermont For More Info 352.241.7144

July 17; 7:30 – 11 AM Quarterly Bird & Butterfly Survey PEAR Park Wildlife Conservation Area Leesburg July 18; 2 PM October Mountain Band Public Library, Leesburg For More Info 352.728.9790

July 11; 6 – 9:30 PM Leesburg Food Truck-N-Flick Night Towne Square Leesburg

July 18; 11 AM Didgeridoo Down Under Public Library, Leesburg For More Info 352.728.9790 July 20; 11 AM World of Reptiles with Jim Storms Public Library, Leesburg For More Info 352.728.9790 July 2; 4 – 6 PM Chronicles of Yarnia - Fiber Arts Club Cagan Crossings Community Library, Clermont July 3; 5:30 – 3 PM Family Food Truck Night Historic Downtown Clermont, Clermont July 4; 6 – 10 PM 4th of July Red, White & Boom Waterfront Park, Clermont July 11 29th Annual Central Florida Triathlon & 5K Series #2 Clermont Waterfront Park, Clermont For More Info 352.394.1320

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July 3; 11 AM – 11 PM Red Fridays - Remember the deployed AMVETS POST 2006, Leesburg July 4; 1 PM Fourth of July Celebration Via Port, Florida Old Lake Square Mall, Leesburg

July 22; 11 AM The Earthlings in Concert Public Library, Leesburg For More Info 352.728.9790 July 25; 2 PM Tim Trick Clown Show Public Library, Leesburg For More Info 352.728.9790

July 5; 12 – 2 PM ABATE - Lake County Chapter Meeting Eagles Aerie 4273 - Web Room, Leesburg

July 27; 11 AM Ventriloquism Show with Jacki Manna Public Library, Leesburg For More Info 352.728.9790

July 6; 11 AM Finn and Fiona Celtic Tales Public Library, Leesburg For More Info 352.728.9790

July 29; 11 AM Crazy Balloon Show with Karen Climer Public Library, Leesburg For More Info 352.728.9790

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July 2015

July 6; 7 – 9 PM Smooth Country Band Monday Nights WindHorse Theater, Eustis July 6, 10; 8 AM – 5 PM Cub Scout Day Camp First Baptist Church, Eustis

July 14; 2 – 4 PM Quilters’ Club Library Conference Room, Tavares

July 4; 6 – 10 PM 4th of July Red, White & Boom Waterfront Park, Clermont

July 16; 5 PM Library Advisory Board Meeting Lake County Agricultural Center, Tavares

July 11; 7:30 AM 29th Annual Central Florida Triathlon #2 Clermont Waterfront Park For More Info 352.394.1320

July 21; 9 AM Board of County Commissioners Rezoning Meeting Administration Building, Tavares

July 17; 9 – 11 AM Map and Compass Lesson Marsh Park and Boat Ramp, Eustis

July 1; 10 AM – 4 PM Raw and Ardor exhibit Mount Dora Center for the Arts Gallery, Mount Dora

July 31; 9 – 11 AM Animal Tracks For Kids Lake May Reserve, Eustis

July 3; 5 – 9:30 PM Freedom on the Waterfront Elizabeth Evans Park, Mount Dora

July 12, 15; 9 AM – 5 PM CFSA Soccer Camp National Training Center, Clermont July 18; 7:30 - 11 AM Quarterly Bird & Butterfly Survey Ferndale Preserve, Clermont

July 3; 5 PM Mount Dora Has Talent Mount Dora Community Building For More Info 352.735.7183

July 11; 11 AM – 1:30 PM Power Your Future Energy Programs Info Session Sumter Campus - Lobby

July 1; 9 – 12 AM Planning & Zoning Board Lake County Administration Building, Tavares

July 13, 17, 20, 24, 27, 31; 9 AM – 2 PM Summers Camp Melon Patch Youth Melon Patch Theatre, Mount Dora

July 27 - 31; 7 AM – 5 PM Stem Day Camp Lake Sumter State College, Leesburg

July 4; 3 – 9:30 PM Tavares Independence Day Celebration Wooton Park, Tavares

July 17; 2 – 10 PM Grease, The Musical The IceHouse Theatre, Mount Dora

July 7; 9 AM – 12 Board of County Commissioners meeting Commission Chambers, Tavares

July 18; 7 – 9 PM Take Me Home - A John Denver Tribute Mount Dora Community Building

July 8; 9 AM – 12 PM Lake County Code Enforcement Special Master Hearings Administration Building, Tavares For More Info 352.343.9739 July 9; 1 PM Board of Adjustment Administration Building, Tavares For More Info 352.343.9739

July 24 - 25 Stepping Out for Education Lake Receptions, Mount Dora For More Info 352.326.1265

Every Tuesday; 7 AM – 11 AM Farmers Market LadyLakeChamber.com

July 12; 3:30 PM Parks, Recreation & Trails Advisory Board Meeting Library Services Conference Room, Tavares July 14; 5:30 – 7 PM 10th Birthday Party and Ribbon Cutting Tavares Pavilion, Tavares

July 2015

July 31; 4 – 6 PM Red for Ed Collection and BBQ Bash Wooton Park, Tavares

Go to FocusLakeCounty.com and Like the FOCUS Lake County Facebook page to find more events information.

July 3; 3 -7 PM Patriotic Concert Savannah Center, The Villages

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IN FOCUS

LAKE COUNTY ARTS & CULTURAL ALLIANCE

PHOTOS BY ANTHONY RAO The Lake County Arts & Cultural Alliance hosted a networking meeting for all local artists and cultural organizations at the Leesburg Center for the Arts recently.

The goal of the meeting was to promote “the betterment of the arts and cultural community as a whole and develop partnerships based on the arts,” said Amy Painter, Executive Director of the Leesburg Center for the Arts.

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July 2015

July 2015

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IN FOCUS COPS & KIDS

PHOTOS BY BONNIE WHICHER The 10th annual Lake County Sheriff’s Office Cops and Kids Day recently took place at Via Port Florida in Leesburg. It featured a Law Enforcement Motorcycle Skills Challenge with officers demonstrating their riding proficiency while competing against motorcyclists from surrounding law enforcement agencies.

Proceeds raised benefited a local ALS charity organization.

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July 2015

IN FOCUS PFX SOFTBALL

PHOTOS BY MARC ROBERTZSCHWARTZ Last year PFX Athletics was chosen by South Lake Hospital, Lake County, and Lake-Sumter State College to manage the Legends Way Ballfields at the National Training Center in Clermont. It now utilizes the the ballfields to provide opportunities – directly and indirectly – to women and girls throughout the world by hosting and promoting events and training. Photos were taken at a recent skills clinic.

July 2015

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On Innovators

Lake County Treasures

WRITTEN BY MARGARET ANDERSON

Kathryn Page is a Lake County treasure. She is a creative and passionate fabric artist. Give her a sewing machine, some lace, silk, trim and some dye and she will create an incredible piece of art for you to wear.

She was born and grew up in the Midwest and holds the work ethic and morals of her roots.

“I love real and authentic people and for that reason I maintain a booth at Renninger’s Extravaganza and the Steampunk event held there,” she said. “Talking and exchanging ideas with the people who come is inspiring.” She and her husband, Michael, moved to Mount Dora from Miami about eight years ago. “It reminds me of the Midwest here and I have always lived around water,” she said.

“Michael is an avid fisherman and where else in Florida could you find so many lakes as in Lake County! The slower and safer pace of life and the quiet was also attractive.”

Kathryn loves crafts. She knits and crochets. At one time she wrote articles for Ladies Home Journal and Family Circle.

“I had a whole line of sweaters and things I knitted out of fabric ribbon a few years ago,” she shared. She went on to employ over 100 women in Haiti who knitted and crocheted her line under her supervision and patterns.

Her tops, skirts, hats and purses have a timeless appeal. “My things never go out of style,” she said. “They are also very comfortable to wear. My hats are made so that there is no front or back so the flower can be worn in the front, the back or on the side. They fit almost every head.”

She began sewing at an early age, making doll clothes as a child and making her own clothes in high school. After graduation she studied at the Minneapolis School of Art and the Fashion Institute of Technology in New York.

While working in New York she designed a whole line of paper shoes. This creative endeavor attracted the attention of Herbert Levine, a luxury shoe company, and she was immediately hired by them. “The thing I learned was that I didn’t like working for someone else and that getting up every morning, riding the crowded subway with a transfer in midtown, wasn’t something I wanted to do the rest of my life,” she said.

She and her husband Michael participate in many of the Art and Craft Shows in Florida and that is what initially brought them to Mount Dora. Although they have spent a lot of time doing many shows all over the country, Kathryn said, “I think the future is in e-commerce. It is convenient for people, it’s quick, and it’s just a matter of pushing a couple of buttons to make a purchase. The internet has made people more aware of handmade items.”

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Her inspiration comes from reading French and Italian fashion magazines and also Vogue. “I am inspired by current fashion and artists emulating times past,” she said.

“Nature also inspires me,” Kathryn added.

“The colors of the water and foliage of Florida are an inspiration. It is so lush and green here. Designing is almost like cooking, it’s such personal taste. It almost depends on a particular day as to what inspires me because the next day the very same thing won’t inspire me at all. I’m a passionate sort of person and I love color. Sometimes just a single color will give me inspiration.”

“I think the future holds many changes for me,” she said. “I seem to be asked to do workshops and demonstrations now.” Her wall hangings and home decor items are a slight change for her. “There is no structure or body to fit,” she laughs.

“If an artist wants to become successful today, they have to find their own style and develop their own technique. An artist is not an overnight success, it’s taken me over 30 years,” she smiled.

She recently participated in the Polka Dot Flea, an inside and air-conditioned show, held in Orlando in June, at Central Florida Fairgrounds on W. Colonial Drive.

Visit Kathryn’s website KathrynPage.com

July 2015

On the Arts WRITTEN BY BAY STREET PLAYERS STAFF

Theatre, unlike all other art forms, exists only for the moment -- one magical and irreplaceable fraction of time. A moment so magical that only the human mind is capable of reproducing it. Theatre exists only so long as it is viewed and shared with you, the Audience.

– Hello, Dolly! program 1975, Dale R. Carpenter, Founder of Bay Street Players Bay Street Players has been providing live theatre in downtown Eustis at the Historic State Theatre on Bay Street for forty years.

This March, Bay Street Players celebrated that anniversary with a cabaret directed by David Clevinger. Singers from throughout Bay Street Players’ forty year history performed for a full house.

Celebrating the anniversary is inspiring community and connecting old and new friends. “This year has been one of reflection and rededication to our roots.” Bernie Vatter, Board President.

The weekend also included a ribbon cutting with the Chamber of Commerce, as BSP officially opened and dedicated the Founders’ Room in the expanded lobby in honor of the founding members of the Bay Street Players: Deborah Carpenter, Dale Carpenter, Charlene Smith, Lou Tally, and Mary Jane and Ed Mitenius. “You can’t just build a 1922 theatre.

There is a history in the building that cannot

July 2015

be reproduced,” says Robin Mathias, who led the efforts to put on the 40th Anniversary Celebration.

Dolly, played by Kat Johnson.

The entire lobby expansion work was done by volunteers, who are the heart of the theatre. The typical production may require more than 200 volunteers working in various capacities, from ushers, to actors, to set builders, and everyone must pull together to make a production a success. Community theatre is not just for the community, it is by the community.

In addition to the mainstage, BSP has one of the most successful youth theatre programs in Central Florida. Deborah J. Carpenter started the Young People’s Theatre in 1976.

The program is still running strong. Under the leadership of Amanda Warren, the students produce five shows a year, including one during summer camp.

Bay Street Players also has a second stage series that includes newer, more cutting edge works that may push the boundaries of what theatres usually do in Lake County.

Recently the State Theatre Improv Fun Force has been added to the lineup. In addition, the theatre hosts many special music events.

In the past, these have included the local success, Johnny Dee and the Starlights, as well as tributes to artists such as Johnny

Cash, Waylon Jennings, and Neil Diamond.

The 40th Anniversary Celebration wraps up this summer with Hello, Dolly! In the summer of 1975, it was the first show ever performed by Bay Street Players at the Historic State Theatre. The 2015 production is directed by Brendon Rogers, music direction

by Beau Mahurin, choreography by Steven Johnson, Costumes by A.J. Garcia, Set design by Tom Mangieri, and lighting design by Jon Whiteley. Starring Kat Johnson as Dolly Levi, Ken Peterson as Horace Vandergelder, Kyle Stone as as Cornelius, Daniel Martinez as Barnaby, and Gretchen Scoleri as Irene. It opened June 19 and runs through July 1.

Individual tickets are $21 for adults, $11 for students, and $15 for groups of 15 or more.

Next season Bay Street presents: Harvey, You’re a Good Man Charlie Brown, Calendar Girls, Once Upon a Mattress, and Young Frankenstein. Season tickets are $80 and include all five shows.

For more information or to purchase tickets call 352.357.7777 or visit the Bay Street Players website at BayStreetPlayers.org

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is easily corrected with just a bit more training of the service staff.

Timing on the preparation of our meals was very quick. I am sure the employees of the surrounding government offices will frequent Zac’s, since they have only a limited time to eat and must get in and out for their meals quickly.

The Traveling Gourmet would describe Zac’s Pressed for Time Café as a slightly upscale breakfast and lunch eatery.

The décor is soft browns, classic floor tiles and lots of wood. The restaurant was also immaculately clean.

I ordered the Crueban Sandwich, a takeoff on a Reuben Sandwich. It contained corned beef, sauerkraut, swiss cheese, pickles, mustard and mayonnaise, all on pressed Cuban bread.

My companion opted for then Chicken Cordon Bleu, which was also served on pressed Cuban bread.

Both sandwiches were very good, but I felt personally they were a little light on the meat.

I would have given an excellent rating had the sandwiches contained around four ounces of meat compared to what they had.

We also split an order of black beans and rice, which was excellent. The portion was more than ample and the flavor was very good.

First Impressions Upon arrival, I noted there was no one available to seat us, so we actually seated ourselves.

The service, while very friendly, was a bit lackadaisical. Which

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All in all, the Traveling Gourmet would definitely return.

Zac’s Pressed for Time Café is located at 505 W. Main St. in downtown Tavares. You can find a menu online at ZacsPressedForTime.com

Zac’s Pressed For Time Cafe opened in 2010. It is located on Main Street in Tavares at the Belton Financial Center across the street from the courthouse. Supreme Beans & Rice (Below)

Real critiques of your favorite Lake County restaurants. FOCUS sends an anonymous Foodie to review them each month and then gives the local owner a chance to respond to the good and not-as-positive experiences they’ve had in the restaurant.

Enjoy and bon appétit.

Response: Pressed for Time? Try Zac’s Come on down and try us out for breakfast or lunch. We are open 7 days a week from 7am until 3pm. We have a great new location with an awesome updated menu, serving home-cooked food and daily specials. We also cater, and offer a conference room for up to 20 people.

It’s a great new atmosphere for everyone.

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Why weren’t you in this issue?

Do you have an event, a story, or information you want to get out into the community?

We can’t read your mind.

We need to hear from you.

Email us at Anthony@RedApplesMedia.com or call 352.801.7106 July 2015

July 2015

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Chapter V Haven’t read the first four chapters of 6 Hands? Go to FocusLakeCounty.com to find them as well as the continuing serialized story.

WRITTEN BY RAY MOORE For seven successive summers, Michael Green had, said goodbye to his parents on Long Island, boarded the Camp Equitone bus, and experienced the best eight weeks of his year. That his parents would be traveling in Europe, Asia, or Australia, bothered him not at all.

But June 1996 was different. The summer before entering the University of Chicago, he returned to Equitone for the first time as a counselor. That meant taking the camp bus a week earlier; it meant getting everything out of storage; painting and patching and fixing – doing whatever was necessary to get the camp ready for two hundred children. But above all, it meant Naomi Baker.

As a camper, Michael had never encountered females at Equitone – Nurse Margaret Matron, who dispensed the same vile-tasting medicine for every ailment, clearly did not qualify. That the camp had a hotel he knew, but it was off-limits to kids, and his own parents had never stayed there, so it had not occurred to Michael that there must be waitresses and maids.

Towards the end of that first week, after a morning spent repainting the cabins, the counselors were called together, told to shower, put on their cleanest camp shirts and report to the hotel for lunch. It soon transpired that eating in the hotel was not a reward for their hard work but part of the process of training the temporary waitresses.

Michael joined seven other counselors seated around a long table. The young girl who approached seemed to be about fifteen

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– everything about her said high school sophomore. She carried a tray on which were four bowls of steaming soup. Smiling a little hesitantly, she handed a bowl to the counselor at the end of the table, and he in turn passed it down the table. Three more bowls followed. Eventually, the first bowl had circumnavigated the table, and the last counselor handed it back to the bemused girl, who soon had all four back on her tray.

The eight boys laughed at her discomfiture.

Michael laughed too, but the girl’s face crumpled, and she began to cry. That was

Seated behind her desk, Ms. Vail listened to the details that he had about Naomi Baker.

They were few: the camp name and the dates he knew she had worked there. And then there were the letters, for the two had corresponded until January 1997; the letters, of course, had her address.

Michael continued, “She’s probably married and moved away, but it’s important that I find her because …”

Ms. Vail cut him off abruptly, “I have no interest, Mr. Green, in knowing why you want to find this woman; it’s not relevant.

I require only your word that you do not intend to harm her in any way, and or to break any laws if I am able to trace her. It’s called ‘plausible denial.’”

Michael left the Elmont office at 3.00 p.m. on Wednesday. Around noon the following day, he took a call from Ms. Vail.

his first encounter with Naomi. ******* It is not difficult to hire a private detective.

Five minutes after Michael had spoken about it, his personal assistant, Terry, had made an appointment with Ms. Vail. Terry had asked no questions. Recently, Michael had come to depend on her a great deal for his mind had not been on the investment business. Terry had covered for him, consulting only when essential. Ironically, profitability appeared to be unaffected by Michael’s hands-off approach ‒ perhaps Terry was worth that raise she kept asking for.

Ms. Vail immediately destroyed Michael’s film noir stereotype of a private detective.

Her office in Elmont looked like the other shop fronts in the strip mall, and Ms. Vail, who was wearing shorts and a tee shirt, appeared scarcely old enough to be out of college.

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“Naomi Baker, lives in Florida,” she told him.

“You’re meeting her on Saturday morning at her home. I told her you’re writing a book about Camp Equitone, and that her name came up as someone who might be able to help.”

Michael had certainly not expected such a quick result. Ms. Vail simply said, “Computers, Mr. Green. Almost all information is in a database somewhere.

It’s knowing where to look and how to gain access. That’s why you pay me - speaking of which, my bill is in the mail. I am sending the full information by courier - I don’t trust computers. Goodbye.”

Terry booked an American Airlines flight which would get Michael into Orlando International in the late afternoon of Friday.

He would spend a night at a hotel and drive the following morning to meet Naomi. ****** When she had finally recovered her

July 2015

composure, the girl was instructed by her supervisor to return to the table with the soup. The eight counselors apologized so profusely for a joke they had not intended to be cruel, that Naomi was soon laughing with them. From that point on, the boys were on their best behavior.

That summer, Michael saw a lot of Naomi.

The hotel was not strictly off-limits to counselors, and she was often part of the group, mostly young teens, that gathered to drink sodas by the picnic tables. The counselors had a little club that was also open to those who worked in the hotel, and Naomi would sometimes go there with her girlfriends. Naomi’s boyfriend Shaun, who worked in the hotel kitchen, never came, but Naomi refused to dance at the club no matter who asked her – she was Shaun’s girl. The camp musical brought them together: they shared a musical duet and a dance number. Once, in rehearsal, instead of supporting Naomi’s elegant backbend, Michael had deposited her on the floor. Unhurt, Naomi had a fit of the giggles.

On the penultimate day of camp, the counselors organized a mass game of hideand-go-seek, and Michael found himself searching the back of the hotel when he saw Naomi alone for once. Quite whose idea it was to exchange addresses he couldn’t recall. Had it been her idea? Anyway, he wrote to her as soon as he got settled into the University of Chicago.

Their correspondence was strictly impersonal; high school gossip from Naomi and student trivia from Michael – until that last letter, dated January 7, 1997, which ended: “Shaun has just dumped me, so I guess I am up for grabs.” He’d pondered that sentence a long time. Did it really mean what he thought it meant? But what sort of a relationship could a college student have with an absent high school sophomore? So he’d never written Naomi again because he did not know what to write, and the following summer he’d had the first of several internships. Two years later, he’d met Alexandra, and everything would have been wonderful, if he hadn’t screwed that up.

Was Naomi “the one that got away?” He didn’t know. All he knew was that Naomi had never married. Perhaps that last letter had meant… perhaps it was not too late. ****** The mobile home park was off the Turnpike at Okahumpka south of Lake Harris. He soon found number 107. The door was opened by a

July 2015

heavyset woman in her late thirties whom he did not recognize.

“You must be Mr. Green,” the woman said. “I’m Naomi. Come on in.”

The Southern drawl grated on Michael’s ear.

“Let me put up some coffee, Mr. Green. I really don’t know that I’ll be of much help, but the young woman (your secretary I guess) insisted you were in the area, so I just said to come by.”

They talked for an hour. Naomi had worked at the hotel for five summers, 1996 being the first.

She shared a few photographs; Michael was in none of them. He casually mentioned that he had been a counselor in 1996; she had no memory of him. Had they ever met? After that, he saw no point in speaking about their part in the show.

Michael prompted, “You were going out with Shaun.”

“Was I?” she asked. “There were so many boys.” And she laughed – the first, and the only, thing about her that he recognized. ****** Back in the car Michael began to wonder; What might Naomi’s life have become had things been different in the past? He had not answered her last letter and maybe that was a turning point. Or maybe it wasn’t. What was clear was that the past had weighed far more heavily on him over the years than on her. And, true to his shallow ways, he didn’t feel as if he had missed out on much with the woman who answered the trailer

door. Suddenly something clicked for him.

He could not change the past but he could impact the future, and there was another woman in his life who he would ignore no longer.

He had a phone call to make.

“Listen, Terry,” he said urgently. “That raise I said I was considering – forget it!” She released an audible gasp. Michael spoke quickly, “On the other hand, I’d like to talk to you about a junior partnership as soon as I get back – seems like you’ve been running the business for the last few weeks anyway.”

“Thank you Michael,” Terry replied. “I wasn’t sure you noticed.”

“I didn’t. It took a trip to Florida to realize it.

Thanks, Terry.”

Michael terminated the call. He smiled. “Well that was unexpected,” he thought.

Ray Moore Mystery Writer and Educational Author Ray’s detective mysteries feature Rev. Lyle Thorne.

His two non-fiction series on literature are titled Text & Critical Introduction.

RayMooreAuthor.com

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Be More Decisive About Diversifying Your Design As we focus on diversity this month, I am reminded how important diversity in design is to our well-being. Spending time in a space that makes us feel good, productive, refreshed, relaxed, or meets our particular personal needs, can be very healing.

Because no two people are the same, neither should their personal spaces be the same. The things that make me happy in my home are not the same things that make others happy.

Make it personal! I encourage my clients to think about what makes them happy, or a place they love to vacation. Incorporate articles from these memories into your space. These are the things that make your space different than any other. I love the ocean; therefore, I have many shells that I have collected while walking on beaches all over Florida, and even some sand from the beach that I often visited when I was young. I use these shells and sand, as well

as other reminders of the ocean, in my home. When I’m designing for clients, I look at their home or workspace and note the things that I see that reflect their interests and culture.

I am amazed how often really unique pieces are tucked away or tossed aside because owners weren’t sure how to incorporate these items into their surroundings. To add interest to your home or workspace, consider integrating cool finds from your favorite vacation spot, frame an enlarged photograph from a place that you’ve traveled, display a piece that was crafted by an artist that you found to be inspiring. Include items that evoke happy memories.

Make your home or workspace a reflection of you. A well-designed space should feel comforting to the owner and give guests an indication of the owner’s personality or interests. A personal space should be just that – personal!

Serving The Villages & Lake County

352.414.6556 Se Habla Español AireMasters1.com

Leah D. Conner Facebook.com/Leah-DConner-Interior-Design LeahDConner.com

Scan the code to see Leah D. Conner on LSTV’s “Profiles.”

CALL TO WE M DAY ATC OR BE H AT ANY E STIM ATE

Honesty Above All Else Licensed & Insured #CAC1815401

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July 2015

On Better Living Probiotics and You

Probiotics: What exactly are they and how do they help?

Foods with probiotics and ones that claim to fight them: In addition to taking a probiotic, which is something we highly recommend, there are foods that naturally contain probiotics such as fermented foods like sauerkraut, kombucha, kimchi, kefir, and yogurt, as well as spirulina and chlorella. However, don’t be fooled by food manufacturers claiming to aid your digestive health, but that are actually producing sugar-laden foods.

Sugar feeds yeast, therefore creating an imbalance in your gut flora which defeats the purpose. (Be aware of any food with a health claim.)

Probiotics are live bacteria and yeasts that live in your body that are good for your health, especially for your digestive system. In fact, 80 percent of our immune system is located in our gut and our bodies contain approximately 100 trillion good and bad bacteria So what do they help with?

Probiotics promote healthy gut flora that make it easier for our body to break down hardto-digest food, absorb nutrients better, and help crowd out the bad bacteria and strengthen our immune system.

What to look for in a probiotic: There are a wide variety of strains with different benefits.

Look specifically for lactobacillus and bifidobacterium for optimal digestive health. Find a reputable, Non-GMO, professional grade probiotic to ensure bioavailability, quality, and potency that has a GMP (good manufacturing practices) label.

So, how do you know if you need probiotics?

Antibiotics: Oftentimes when a patient is prescribed an antibiotic, doctors will prescribe probiotics to repopulate the good bacteria – antibiotics are designed to kill bacteria but cannot differentiate between the good bacteria and the bad bacteria. If your physician prescribes an antibiotic, you should consider taking probiotics to reintroduce the healthy gut flora back in.

Take a probiotic when you are traveling out of the country. This will increase the good bacteria and boosts your immune system in order to fight off those potential nasty immune attackers.

If you are experiencing diarrhea, gas, inflammatory bowel disease, (IBS) autoimmune, H. pylori, or other symptoms of a compromised digestive system, adding a probiotic may oftentimes alleviate these symptoms.

Other signs of needing a probiotic are skin conditions such as acne, eczema, psoriasis, or rashes. Also hives is possibly a sign of

July 2015

poor digestion and an imbalance of good and bad bacteria.

Yeast infections: If you suffer from recurring yeast infections or Candida, this usually means that there is an overabundance of bad bacteria. Adding in probiotics will bring in more good bacteria. Remember, sugar feeds yeast, so if you are eating sugar-laden foods, you are defeating the purpose.

Symptoms of a low-functioning immune system: Do you get sick often or easily? Probiotics strengthen and boost your immune system to help your body fight the germs causing the infection.

Intestinal permeability or “leaky gut” is oftentimes the root cause of food allergies.

The healthy bacteria in the probiotics will help in healing the gut and keeping the gut flora balanced.

Be aware, as many OTC supplements may have fillers in them such as corn, soy, wheat, sugar, oils, etc.

It is best to ask your physician which probiotic is right for you.

Jaime Alonso Health Coach Total Nutrition and Therapeutics TotalNutrition andTherapeutics.com

Scan the code to see the Total Nutrition and Therapeutics on LSTV’s “Profiles.”

FocusLakeCounty.com

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On Lake County:

Remembering Lake Summers

Scorching heat, humidity and withering grass are once again popular topics of conversation. Afternoon thunderstorms are making their daily visits. Kids are home from school and vacations are being planned. The lakes are experiencing an increase in usage, while our roads are slightly less congested with the return of the snowbirds to their northern homes. Yes, summer has most definitely arrived in Lake County.

Florida can be a difficult place for some in the summer, but many of my greatest childhood memories took place during a Lake County summer. Granted, summer just so happened to coincide with the two months of the year that I didn’t have to go to school, but Lake County was truly a fun place to be for a child in the summer.

Perception is reality both in economic development and in society, and when we choose to focus on the wrong things about our community, we create a negative perception...

With the July 4th holiday quickly approaching, I am reminded of one of my favorite summertime activities; when my parents would take us in our boat to watch the fireworks over Venetian Cove in Leesburg. To this day, there is no better sight than looking out across Lake Harris at the thousands of small boat lights gathered to watch the fireworks display. While this is a special memory for me, I know there are thousands of other Lake County residents with their own special memories of fireworks or parades or one

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of the many other extraordinary festivals, events, and activities that are available in Lake County.

Lake County is a special place to live. Some of us were raised in Lake County and never left; others left and made the decision to move back. And for every Lake County native resident, there is a new resident who found something special enough about Lake County that they made the decision to call it their new home. Unfortunately, far too often, we, the residents of Lake County, lose sight of what makes this place special. We choose to focus on the few things that are wrong with our community, and not the many things that are right with it.

Perception is reality both in economic development and in society, and when we choose to focus on the wrong things about our community, we create a negative perception that impacts both our ability to generate positive economic momentum and our collective happiness to be living in this great community. Sure, there are many things that can be improved in Lake County, and there are countless items that demand the attention and action of Lake County residents and leaders for Lake County to grow and prosper in a manner that we all desire.

But, all things considered, those challenges pale in comparison to the

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many benefits and positives we receive by living here.

So, during this time when fireworks erupt in the summer sky and lifelong childhood memories are formed, I hope that we can all choose to focus on the positive aspects of life in Lake County. I hope that we can make the conscious decision to be a positive influence for the change that is needed and an advocate for all that is right with this special place.

Happy 4th of July!

Robert L. Chandler IV Director Lake County Board of County Commissioners Economic Growth Department

July 2015

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FLASHBACK

TAVARES Original Lake County Courthouse Circa 1920 Located at 317 W. Main Street in Tavares, the Old Lake County Courthouse was built in 1922 and is on the National Register of Historic Places. Recently the Lake County Sheriff’s Offices moved into the building and took over many of its vacancies. It had previously housed the property appraiser and tax collector offices. The building’s first floor will continue to be home to the Lake County Historical Museum, which offers an informative view of Lake County’s history. Every month, new exhibits are on display and the museum offers a variety of programs for the community’s enjoyment.

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July 2015

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