Home Journal 1.3

Volume 1, Issue 2

ArtistoftheMonth Jane Slivka

CookingCorner Mom’s Mac & Cheese

DiningOut Pisces Rising

Read us online at

PhotoBeat PopTalk EndStory

homejournalonline.com

INTRODUCING

PUBLISHED BI-MONTHLY

ATLAS JAMS FEATURES INTERVIEWS • MUSIC NEWS • TOURS UPCOMING ARTISTS • CD REVIEWS CITY BY CITY SECTION ONLY ONLINE AT

atlasjams.com WE BELIEVE GOOD MUSIC WILL PREVAIL

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Dawn Williams Publisher Lari Thaw Creative Director

InThisIssue

Wendy Smith Production Mgr.

October/November 2011

Abby Conrad Artist Liason

Publisher’s Letter

Richard Stayton Director of Photography Tyler Williams Marketing Representative Contributing Editors Leslie Campione W. Bruce Cameron j.r. bullock Lynne Golding Home Journal is published bi-monthly by Dawn Williams & Associates. All real estate advertised here is subject to Federal Fair Housing Act which makes it illegal to advertise any preference, limitations, or discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, handicap, familial status, or national origin, or intention to make any such preferences, limitation, or discrimination.

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Artist of the Month Lake County Waterways Shop/Segway Vote for me!

Cooking Corner Shop/Johnson Auto Dining Out/Pisces Rising Photo Beat PopTalk EndStory

For Advertising Information Contact: Lari Thaw info@homejournalonline.com

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Publisher’sLetter “Autumn, the year’s last, loveliest smile.”

William Cullen Bryant

H

ard to believe we are already publishing our third issue of the Home Journal. What an exciting and exhilarating ride this has been. As we look forward to all that the Fall season has in store for everyone in Lake County we can’t help but be excited.

October will bring us the Mount Dora Craft Fair and the Bicycle Festival. The town comes alive with activity and color! November marks one of my favorite times, as Thanksgiving draws near and Renningers Antique Extravaganza kicks off! For nearly 20 years I have enjoyed trekking through the open pastures and pavilions looking at all of the treasures, seeing old friends , stopping every now again to savor the sights and sounds and be thankful. I have spent some glorious FALL days at the Extravaganza, some with past loves, some with friends who turned out not to be friends after all, often with family. The days I treasure most are the ones I spent with the people who are no longer with us. I am thankful that we stopped long enough to breathe in the cool air, eat a funnel cake and laugh... boy, did we laugh.

This Fall, be good to yourself and others, but most of all...stop long enough.

Enjoy!

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ArtistoftheMonth Jane Slivka

be familar with her unique and colorful style of acrylic paintings from any of the major art festivals across the state.

Jane teaches weekly classes and is becoming one of the most popular workshop instructors across the Eastern United States.

If anyone ever had the desire to learn to paint and needs

J

ane Slivka is perhaps one of the most recognizable artist in Mount Dora. Her combined gallery, studio, and classroom is hosted on the same oor as One Flight Up Coffee shop and Wine bar at 440 Donelly Street.

Originally from Ohio, Jane earned a bachlor degree in art education at Ohio University before moving to the area in which she now calls home. You may

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the motivation to do so, Jane’s classes offer the instruction in a no-pressure and fun and easy atmosphere.

Jane’s latest work can be seen on exhibit at Al’s Top Shelf Resturant in Taveres or visit her website at janeslivkagallery.com Be sure to drop by her gallery near One Flight Up and say hello.

440 N. Donnelly St. Between 4th & 5th, Upstairs.

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LakeCountyWaterways

By Leslie Campione

Continued from last issue. which is popular for bird watching, hiking and primitive camping. Lake Griffin Run is the most northern of the three Oklawaha Basin Blueways trails, and encircles the southern section of the 9,428-acre lake, where the shores were once populated with Timaquan Indians, and at the turn of the century, steamboats frequented the lake to provide transportation between ports on lakes Eustis, Harris, and Griffin. The Lake Harris Run, is one of the most popular waterways in Lake County with four public entry points, including one at Hickory Point Park near the Howey Bridge. Lake Harris was originally named “Lake Astatula,” which translates in Native American to “Lake of Sunbeams” and for those enjoying this blueway trail today, the name continues to ring true.

The Palatlakaha Run is the longest trail in the blueways program, and traverses seven waterbodies which help form the 17-lake Clermont Chain. Highlights of this Run include two protected areas in the Crooked River Preserve and Lake Louisa State Park, which also offers an variety of activities including full facility camping, equestrian trails, fishing , nature trails, swimming and private cabin accommodations.

This article was compiled from materials published by the Lake County Parks and Trails Division, Tourism Department and Lake County Water Authority. To obtain maps and more information, please log onto www.paddlelake.com.

Leslie Campione lives in Eustis and currently serves on the Lake County Board of County Commissioners, District 4.

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www.allfreakinbeacons.com Central Florida Auto Wholesale 33242 CR 473 Leesburg, FL 34788 352 742- DEAL (3325)

Central Florida Auto Wholesale 2195 N Pine St. Ocala, FL 34475 352 861-LOAN (5626 )

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Shop

Segway

of Central Florida 140 W. 5th Ave. Mt. Dora

352.383.9900 segwayofcentralflorida.com Tours: Wed-Sun

T

he guided tour shows you a side of Mount Dora that you do not want to miss and can only see on a Segway!

The one hour tours begins in downtown Mount Dora and glides along the marina, past the lighthouse and through Palm Island Park.

You will move effortlessly on lush nature paths filled with Florida foliage and wildlife. From your Segway, you’ll climb Mount Dora, take in scenic views and see beautiful homes. You’ll go past the historic and charming Lakeside Inn built in 1883, then wind back to home base.

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By W. Bruce Cameron

I

am pleased to announce my candidacy for president of the United States of America and will now open the floor for questions.

Q: What are your qualifications for president?

A: Well, first, I have to say I resent this sort of “gotcha” question that immediately puts me on the spot. Why not ask me the surface temperature of Mars, or whether I can find

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Canada on a map?

It is an insult to my intelligence, and I refuse to dignify it with an answer. I didn’t come here to talk about anything from my past, I came to talk about the future of America, which, in my opinion, should be “good.” If you believe America should have a good future, vote for me. And if you don’t, I’d still like you to vote for me.

Q: Why are you running for president?

A: Well, first of all, I think it would be fun

to be up there with the current president and the other candidates during the debates, and hopefully they would let me take my picture with them and maybe autograph some stuff that I could later sell on eBay. Second, it would be great to have Secret Service protection, because then I’d have a free driver. Also, I think Joe Biden is hilarious and would love to hang out with him and listen to him say stuff. I’m sure now that I’m a candidate he’ll have a beer with me because he hangs

out with everybody, he’s not fussy.

important issues facing this nation.

I, however, am the Q: What would sort of flexible thinker you do if you were who can not only see elected president? both sides of every issue, but agree with A: The White House them, as well. And for has a kitchen open those who always say 24 hours just for the “don’t know” when president, so I’d prob- asked questions like, ably ring up a ham “Should we blow sandwich, probably everything up?” I also some ice cream. have to say, I am the I don’t know what candidate for you. the rules are for beer.

I would love to play Q: What campaign football on the White promises have you House front lawn like made? the Kennedys did, though it would have A: I solemnly promto be touch football ise to each and every because my sister American that if you plays too rough when vote for me, I will init’s tackle. Oh, and vite you up to Camp I’d find out if the gar- David. Now, you’ll dener picks up after have to purchase a the president’s dog, box lunch — I can’t or if I’ll still have to do afford to feed everyit. You have to stay on body — but we’ll that or it’s not good have a good variety, for the yard, plus it not like on the aircan really ruin your lines, where you get football games. cookies and chips in a tube, and they preQ: What would you tend it’s a meal. You do to address the and your family can nation’s problems? go on the rides for free, pet the animals, A: It seems to me all that stuff. I’ll set that one of our more up a booth where serious problems is I’ll sell presidential that people can’t agree pardons (buy three on a lot of the very or more and get a 10

percent discount).

Also, we’ll do a daily “guess the go codes” contest, where people try to figure out the launch commands for our nuclear arsenal. (Hint: it’s not “1-2-3 go!” I know — I’m surprised, too.) The winner of the contest will get some sort of valuable prize — from what I understand, they have a whole closet full of stuff that Nixon grabbed from China when the commies weren’t looking.

Q: Care to directly address the American people?

A: Hi, American people, it’s me, Bruce. If I’m elected president, I will raise other people’s taxes and reduce yours. I will not cut any programs that you like, just the programs that other people like. I won’t regulate anything that affects your business, just other people’s businesses. I will keep all my promises.

And that’s a promise.

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CookingCorner

By Wendy Smith

MOM’S MAC & CHEESE

T

his is such an easy recipe and you can use the basic ‘white sauce’ (which is the all of the ingredients prior to adding the cheese) recipe for various other dishes.

Anyways, Mom’s mac n cheese I fell in love with as a kid and my kids seem to be continuing the love for Mom’s mac n cheese.

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Over Med-high heat 3 Tbsp of Butter – melt before adding the flour 3 Tbsp of Flour (white or wheat, which ever you prefer) Pinch of salt 1 cup of milk

Stirring continuously until no lumps are visible add 1 lb of cubed Sharp Cheddar cheese.

When all of cheese is melted and your macaroni noodles are cooked to your preference, dump the noodles into a casserole dish, (I usually spray with non-stick, first) pour the cheese sauce over top, bake in the oven for approximately 15 mins at 425 degree’s or until golden brown on top. This makes the top layer a little crunchy but oh so yummy!

You may bake as long as you like or NOT bake at all. Everyone has different tastes buds, so it’s at your discretion.

Shop

By Lynne Golder

David Johnson’s Auto Repair

A

bout a year ago, while living in Deland, I was faced with an automotive repair dilemma. I owned a car that was no longer under warranty. So, now what? I didn’t know where to take my car for repair.

As you know, in this day and age, it is very difficult to find a trustworthy, reliable and skilled mechanic.

There are many auto repair shops out there that take advantage of the situation.

When a potential customer seeks an estimate, the unscrupulous auto repair centers will quote unrealistic, superficial and inaccurate prices for the auto repair.

Not knowing anyone in town to ask for a referral, I did what I always do.

I hopped on the pc and pursued my search for a solution to my problem.

I researched local auto repair shops and came across a listing that caught my eye. The repair shop had several reviews and each review was positive.

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Everyone raved about David Johnson’s honesty and how he treated his customers with decency. He never overcharged for the needed repairs. Customers stated that going to David Johnson’s Auto Repair was like stepping back in time....back to the Fiftie’s... simple, straightforward and honest.

I recently asked David about his background in automotive repair. He told me that he originally owned repair shops in three locations. You may recognize David Johnson’s trademark colors. All his buildings are painted Yellow with the signature Black checkered border.

David Johnson has more than 20 years of experience in automotive repair. He services Domestic, Foreign and European cars. He also repairs Classic Cars. The local Classic Car owners trust David Johnson with their precious collectible cars. There is always a vintage car in the driveway waiting to be serviced by the David Johnson Auto Repair experts. They use the most advanced diagnostic equipment.

David Johnson Auto Repair is ASE Certified and specializes in air conditioning service, brake service,

engine tune-ups, radiator repair, transmission replacements and rebuilts, fuel injection cleaning and many other services. For a complete list of services offered visit them online at www.davidjohnsonsautorepair.com.

If you are like me and demand honesty, integrity and skill when it comes to your car repairs then remember the name David Johnson’s Auto Repair. I live in Mount Dora now but I will continue to travel the twenty miles to Deland for the best care for my car.

Don’t complain if you have to go a bit out of your way to travel to Deland. The end result outweighs the inconvenience.

Call or stop by David Johnson’s Auto Repair, 620 W. New York Ave., Deland.

386-738-3808.

Hours: Tuesday – Thursday 8am.-6pm., Friday and Saturday 8am.-5pm. Tell David I sent you.

DiningOut Lunch: 11:30-4 Mon-Sat ch Sunday Brun 11-3 Dinner Sun-Thurs Fri & Sat

Pisces Rising

A Fresh Florida Seafood and Steak House 239 W. Fourth Ave. Mount Dora, FL 352.385.2669

PiscesRisingDining.com

P

isces Rising is celebrating it’s seventh year of serving the finest cuisine, the most discriminating diners in Mount Dora and around Central

Florida with new innovations in “Creoleribbean” menus.

And, of course the signature dishes that guests already love. If you are new to the area, visit the lovingly restored 1920’s home surrounded by a modern dining room, cocktail lounge, and

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open kitched, with a spacious deck and tiki-style bar outside overlooking Lake Dora and the night sunsets. Happy Hour is all day Monday and 4-7pm TuesdayFriday. Enjoy their monthly wine pairing menus and prime rib on Thursday.

Live entertainment Thursday-Saturday and twice on Sunday.

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PhotoBeat

By Richard Stayton

T

his months article is about first and lasts.

I remember as a child, witnessing with excitement the first manned U.S. spaceflight, and this last July, I was able to watch the last.

Photography is about chronicling history, no matter how large or small. Whether it’s a child’s birthday party or the end of a technological era. This month’s photograph is by Jeffrey Phillips, a professional photographer in Mount Dora. Phillips also owns

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and operates All About Images, a professional imaging studio in downtown Mount Dora. As the official photographer of the Kennedy Space Center Visitor’s Complex, Phillips was asked to shoot the final three shuttle Missions. His expertise in capturing dramatic moments is evident. But his images are no less important than the thousands captured by spectators on the space coast that day, using point and shoot cameras to document their experiences of that

milestone in history. Mr. Phillips describes his feelings regarding the moment when he fixed his camera’s lens on the shuttle, pressing the shutter and freezing it mid-launch for the final time, as “bittersweet.”

While it was a privilege to witness and document such a momentous occasion, one can’t forget the impact that the end of the shuttle program will have on the individuals who worked so tirelessly to support it. As a working professional photographer with forty-five years of experience, I see that the art and craft of photography is in good hands, with capable photographers like Jeffrey Phillips who will continue capturing these notable moments in human history. Mr. Phillips work can be seen at the Kennedy Space Center Visitor’s Complex and on the walls of his storefront at 415 N. Baker Street, where he also instructs classes on the art of digital photography. Keep photographing those special moments, big and small – keep shooting, - Rich.

followed was nothing short of fabulous, as Kimmy has been the recipient of many honors and awards, performing on the main stage of the KISS Country Radio Chili Cook-Off, and opening for an impressive list of artists including Sugarland, Alan Jackson, Phil Vassar and JoDee Messina.

PopTalk

The Baron Sisters By j.r. bullock

A

n afternoon delight.

Kimberly and Kelsie Baron are a true breath of fresh air to the music world. I spent an enjoyable afternoon interviewing this sister duo and enjoying their original music. The Baron Sisters were at the Orlando Science Center where they were the featured performers during the Guitar History exhibit.

With a unique sound, clever lyrics and soothing guitar melodies, watching and listening to The Baron Sisters takes you away. The stories they tell with their music are interesting, relevant and real.

Kelsie does most of the writing and when asked where she gets her inspiration from she simply said,

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“Life”. Sometimes it is a personal experience that prompts her to write a song or even watching a movie.

Kelsie said that she had watched the movie Titanic and the long hallways and action compelled her to pen the wonderful song, “Corridor”. Matching Kelsie’s unique writing skills with Kimberly’s melodic voice makes a perfect blend of sound and style, Kimberly Baron and her sister Kelsie are making a name for themselves in the music business while still in their teens.

Known for their sweet, sensational style and superb sibling harmony, these two will surely set the music business on fire.

Kimberly began her singing career at the age of 12 when she was named Florida Country Music Association’s Rising Star. What

Kelsie joined the act three years ago, when she picked up the guitar and began teaching herself to play.

Called a prodigy by many, Kelsie’s musical gifts include writing amazing songs which will surely become your favorites. Her vocal ability is the icing on the cake of this magnificent “sister act.”

The Baron Sisters are signed to Unison Records and expect a full length album release sometime in 2012.

EndStory My First G host Story By: Laura Toro

My First Ghost Story

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e all gathered around the fire and huddled in close, while Uncle Mickey began his story. He called it, The Ghost in the Fields, and he claimed to have personal experience with her. My eyes widened as he began his tale...

Many years ago on a farm there lived a man who went by the name of Clubber.

Most folks liked Clubber and they would wave to him as he passed by the mercantile store every afternoon. Now, Clubber was a modest man, about six feet tall with very large hands. His thick red hair brushed his shoulders and his blue work pants

hung to the spot just above his ankles. His momma used to tell him he was born to work, so this is what Clubber did. He would haul stuff for people, all kinds of stuff.

Sometimes it was stuff that needed to be moved from one place to another, but most of the time it was just old stuff that people didn’t want anymore. So, Clubber would put it all in his cart and haul it up the hill and dump it over the other side so nobody could see it. One day in early spring a man named Mr. Wade called on Clubber for his services. He told him he had an item that he needed hauled away but, it needed to be taken farther away than over the hill.

He said he would pay extra and Clubber agreed to the job. Mr. Wade said the best place for the item would be under water and he asked Clubber to promise that he would take it all the way to the Ponce River and dispose of it there. Now, Clubber might sound like the name of a man without too many brains but he knew that hauling it all the way to the river was at least a four-day journey. Clubber agreed to the man’s terms but inside his head he knew that the item would be placed in the junk pile over the hill and he would take the extra time and go visit his Aunt Adeline in Tweadsdale, the next town over. He would be

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gone on a four-day journey and Mr. Wade would never suspect a thing.

Now, Mr. Wade was a dealer in antiques and Clubber showed up at his little shop called, Second Time Around. Being alone in the store made him nervous and he could feel his palms getting sweaty. As he was glancing around the store Mr. Wade came walking out from the back with a box in his hands. The box was no bigger than a shoebox and he handed it to Clubber.

Clubber looked perplexed but before he could get a word out Mr. Wade began shaking his head and saying, “My friend, an agreement is an agreement, I need the item taken to the River Ponce and you have agreed to do it. I never stated that the item was large, you just assumed that in your own mind. And remember, it must be disposed of under water, otherwise there will be consequences.”

So, Clubber being the polite man that he was took the box and placed it in the back of his cart. He climbed up onto the platform, sat down and took the reins in his hands, hollered giddyup and began his journey up to the hill. Now after about ten minutes of travel, Clubber had to pull the cart over onto the side of the road, because although the box was about as big as his shoe the cart was bearing down as if he was hauling boulders and

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rocks. The burden was much to bear but Clubber kept moving on, knowing that the other side of the hill was not far away. He stopped to rest at one point on his journey, wiping the sweat from his brow and noticing how heavy his shoulders felt. He could swear he heard hissing noises coming from the box but he figured it was just his mind playing tricks on him, so he got back into his cart and began his journey again.

After what seemed like an eternity, he finally made it to the top of the hill and began his descent downward.

As he passed the large pile of accumulating junk he heard a soft voice calling from behind him but when he looked back over his shoulder there was nobody there. He stopped the cart, hopped out, picked up the box and threw it into the pile of rubble.

He said out loud to himself,“That Mr. Wade is crazy, I ain’t traveling four days to put that stupid box in the River Ponce, it will make itself at home here with the rest of the junk.”

He hopped back into his cart and took off down the road with a pocket full of money and a whistle on his lips. After traveling another hour he noticed that he had arrived back to the same pile of junk. He thought he followed the sign that said, Tweadsdale 20 Miles, but he assumed he made a mistake.

Still whistling and smiling he took off again this time making sure he followed the correct sign. Again, after what seemed like an hour he ended up back at the junk pile.

For a moment Clubber started thinking he was losing his mind. He knew he followed the correct sign and he had no idea how he had gone around in a circle. To top things off the sky began to cloud over and large dollops of rain started falling. Just as he was about to take cover in an old abandoned shed, he noticed a figure lurking in the distance. He could tell it was a woman so he called out to her. Lightning struck and the figure of the woman was now standing directly in front of him. Her face was twisted and tormented as if she had gone through years of agonizing torture. The lower half of her body was covered in what looked like fish scales and her blue hair was matted and full of maggots. He shielded his eyes from the disfigured body and turned quickly to run away. He could not move, his feet were stuck to the earth and as he looked down black ooze began to bubble up from the ground. His breath became rapid and shallow. He could not run, he could not hide.

Suddenly the creature’s voice rang out, “I am the remains of the final mermaid that swam the oceans. My

only request was to be laid to rest in the River Ponce.

You have failed to grant me my wish so now I will forever haunt the fields beyond your city. The crops will never prosper and they will constantly be haunted by my need for water. Floods will come and the farmer’s will pray for drought long enough to repair their soil.”

The ground beneath him began to pulse and Clubber was able to break free from the black ooze. He stumbled back and began shouting, “I am sorry, I will take you to the river, I swear I will take you right now!”

The mermaid ghost replied, “It is too late, once the ancient box is laid to rest upon dirt I can no longer be taken to water. You have defied

me, I curse you forever!”

Suddenly Uncle Mickey stood up and pointed in the direction of the trees. He whispered, “If you look over yonder in the hills you can see her running with the earth animals. She falters and falls living forever in agony and unrest.”

All of us children slowly turned our heads to look in the direction of the hills and when we did Uncle Mickey threw his drink on the fire and when the fire’s flames rose up toward heaven and made a hissing sound, we all screamed at the top of our lungs and ran towards the house. I looked back and I saw Uncle Mickey standing by the fire laughing out loud.

Laura Toro received her BA in English Literature from Florida Atlantic University.

She is currently working on a YA novella. She lives in Mount Dora with her husband Chris, her dog Molly and her two cats Beverly and Domino.

Mt. Dora Plant Co. “Your Neighborhood Garden Center”

custom container gardens Native and Unique Plants gift cards available 2145 Britt Road Mt. Dora, FL 352-242-8585 We are located 2 miles behind the 7-11/Racetrack off 441 on Wolfbranch Road.