Style Magazine, July 2020 by Akers Media Group

TAKING

EX TRAORDINARY MEASURES.

GALDER M A

2018

PR EFER R ED EXECUTIVE

TO PROVIDE

EX TRAORDINARY CARE. GIVING YOU

E X T R A O R D I N A R Y R E S U LT S .

MER Z

2018

TOP INJECTOR S

MER Z TR AINER:

EXPERT CENTER

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JUL'20 V.16

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CONTENTS 1 of 2

FEATURES

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And the winner is … Bryan Smith, of BP Smith Construction, is Style’s 2020 Business Man of the Year. STORY: VICTORIA SCHLABIG

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The stuff of dreams Local baseball talents AJ Shaver and Shawn Guilliams look forward to playing at the collegiate level and have their sights set on the Major Leagues. STORY: THERESA CAMPBELL AND JAMES COMBS

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The paddlewheel is thumpin’ Passengers soon may step aboard the Dora Queen for nostalgic riverboat rides around Lake Dora. STORY: JAMES COMBS

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037 SPECIAL ADVERTISIN G SEC TIO N

The 2020 Business Men of Style Meet some of Lake and Sumter counties’ most successful men.

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JUL‘20 V.16

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CONTENTS 2 of 2

DEPARTMENTS

first

021

THE HIT LIST 022 PERSON OF INTEREST 024 OUTSTANDING STUDENT 026 MY FIRST TIME 028 THIS 'N' THAT 030

agenda

024

026

028 086

082 084

081

JAMS 082 LOCAL TALENT 084 SOCIAL SPOTLIGHT 086

healthy living

096

093

INSPIRATION 094 SUCCESS STORY 096

105

106

094

IN THE KITCHEN 106 FORK ON THE ROAD 110 SPIRITS 112 DINING GUIDE 114

columns FROM THE PUBLISHER 014 AT YOUR SERVICE 015 FINAL THOUGHT 128

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128

112

110 E ON TH R C OV E

Lake and Sumter Style

Village Edition

Photo: Douglas Tyler Model: Bryan Smith

Photo: Douglas Tyler Model: Shawn Guilliams

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FROM THE PUBLISHER

Getting down to business Meet the 2020 Businessmen of Style t the beginning of each year, we all look forward with high hopes and new opportunities to celebrate achieving goals, hitting milestones and making the new year better than the last. I am confident when I say, for most of us, 2020 started off as one of the most challenging years in our lifetime. However, you wouldn’t know that as you read through the pages of this month’s issue. What you will see is a vibrant, dynamic and zestful community that is exploding with entrepreneurial spirit. For example, this month we introduce the 2020 Businessmen of Style, and on the cover, our Businessman of the Year,

Bryan Smith of BP Smith Construction. These men are a clear example of leadership and perseverance. While others have pulled back, these men have put themselves out in the forefront. They are business owners, CEO’s and spiritual leaders who seized an opportunity to stand tall and show the world that they are not easily broken. For that, we salute you. Also, you will read a story about two local baseball players who were expected to be selected in the 2020 MLB draft. Our staff waited patiently with them on the night of the draft to see their reaction when their names were called. Unfortunately, it’s not yet their time, and both players were overlooked. Shawn Guilliams of The Villages Charter High School and AJ Shaver of South Lake High School quickly shook off their disappointments and look forward to showcasing their talent at their respective colleges. Shawn will play at the University of North Florida, while

AJ is attending Florida State University. Both players still have their sights set on playing Major League Baseball. Another great story is the tale of The Dora Queen, a nostalgic riverboat cruise ship coming to Lake County. Again, while other attractions pull back, The Dora Queen pushes onward. Lake and Sumter communities are alive and well, bursting with new, exciting adventures and achievements. My team and I are so honored that you allow us to highlight this amazing community and that we are able to provide these stories to you each month through Style magazine. We appreciate your continued support and loyalty. The reason we all thrive is because we tackle challenges together. Until next month,

Have a story to tell? We’re always looking for stories about people who live and work in our area. Send suggestions to editorial@akersmediagroup.com.

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Kendra Akers Doug Akers

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TO LAKE COUNTY

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THE

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SA LES

CON TRIBUTIN G ED IT OR

PICK

Lake County has bushels of berries and a bounty of agritourism sites.

GO FISH

MUTUAL ATTRACTIONS

Explore a fishing mecca with countless hot spots for anglers of all skill levels.

By land, sea and air, visitors can find adventure, sightseeing and recreation.

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Subscriptions: Order a subscription of your favorite magazine to be delivered directly to your home for just $84. Each subscription includes 12 consecutive issues of Lake & Sumter Style and Village Edition Style. Choose 2 or more magazines for $108 per year. To order, call 352.787.4112 or mail us at: Subscriptions at Akers Media, P.O. Box 490088, Leesburg, FL 34749. Change of Address: If you are a seasonal resident or have moved, send your address

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Lake & Sumter Style. Published monthly by Akers Media, 108 South Fifth Street, Leesburg, FL 34748. All editorial contents copyright 2020 by Akers Media. All rights reserved. Lake & Sumter Style is a registered trademark of Akers Media. Nothing may be reprinted in whole or in part without written permission from the publisher. For back issues or billing information, call 352.787.4112. Return postage must accompany all unsolicited manuscripts and artwork if they are to be returned. Manuscripts are welcomed, but no responsibility can be assumed for unsolicited materials. “Paid Promotional Feature” denotes a paid advertising feature. Publisher is not responsible for claims or contents of advertisements. The ideas and opinions contained in this publication do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of Akers Media.

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OPTIONS? DO YOU KNOW YOUR BEST

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F E AT U R E

n oncology nurse practitioner is an APRN (advanced practice registered nurse), a clinician with specialized training and experience in caring for cancer patients. Although supervised by an oncologist, the oncology nurse practitioner meets with patients independently, and is trained and educated to perform physical examinations and to diagnose and treat certain conditions Treatment includes prescribing medications and giving

chemotherapy. An oncology nurse practitioner can also order diagnostic and laboratory tests, can interpret the results of those tests, and can participate in research as part of a clinical trial. In addition to coordinating with other health care providers, this essential oncology team member educates and counsels cancer patients and their families about the disease and manages the side effects of cancer treatment. The

oncology nurse practitioner serves as a patient advocate and provides patient and family support, working side by side with doctors and providing direct patient care at both bedside and chairside. This clinician can also advise patients on ways to prepare for survivorship and can provide coaching on living a healthy lifestyle. Care is not just patient-focused but is also family-centered, incorporating the psychosocial, physical, sexual, and spiritual health of the family into the care that patients receive.

Did You Know? Oncology nurse practitioners perform many roles that were traditionally filled by a physician. In addition to performing biopsies, chemotherapy, and other procedures, they are experts in symptoms management like nausea, vomiting, or pain. You may see them running survivorship programs or high risk cancer clinics. They may perform patient navigator services, case management, hospice, or palliative care. Some work in research or higher education.

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39,000 Nurses certified for oncology and related specializations in the US

Meet Julie Arcaro, RBOI’s Oncology Nurse Practitioner Do you have questions about managing the side effects of cancer treatment? Do you have concerns about quality of life and about dealing with the uncertainties that arise from a cancer diagnosis? Julie Arcaro, APRN, is available onsite at RBOI to address those issues. With more than 20 years’ experience in nursing, she has discussed these questions and concerns with individual patients and in the talks she’s given to RBOI’s support groups and to organizations like the Cancer Alliance of Marion County. Last year she coauthored, with Dr. Norman Anderson, a paper on RBOI’s groundbreaking treatment for metastatic malignant melanoma. Writes Ocala Star-Banner columnist Emory Schley, “[If] you should come across Julie Arcaro, APRN, tell her ‘hi.’ She’s a real sweetheart!”

12%

Bureau of Labor Statistics projected growth of registered nurses from 2018 to 2028, much faster than the average for all occupations

Meditation Invitation Join RBOI social worker and mindfulness meditation teacher Amy K. Roberts for meditation on Fridays from 10 to 10:30 AM. These sessions are free for anyone affected by cancer in some way. You can join in on Zoom or by phone. If you have never used Zoom, you can call ahead of time and we will walk you through the procedure. Or you can participate via phone, just as you would do for a conference call. For more information, call Amy K. Roberts, LCSW, MMT at 352-732-0277. RBOI’s Facebook page also includes details on how to join the sessions. Click on Events.

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AMERICAN FAMILY HOMES CUSTOM CHANGES BENEFIT YOU

CHANGE IS GOOD

At American Family Homes we believe you deserve your new home, your way. This includes custom changes that make your home personal and special to you. That’s always been part of the American Family Homes experience. Bring us your ideas. Let’s collaborate on style, color and design features to create an energy efficient custom home, within budget, just the way you want it.

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first PEOPLE. COMMENTARY. NEWS.

Wanna guess what sharp-dressed Raymond York pulls out of Florida’s lakes?

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THE HIT LIST

WALKING ALONG: Art Walk construction continues to progress in downtown Clermont. This festive brick walkway, which broke ground this year, will run from Minneola Avenue to Montrose Street, eventually extending to Osceola Street. Art Walk will celebrate artists, with plans for a covered pavilion and an open-air space for vendors’ pop-up tents. A restaurant/retail building adjacent to the walk also is under construction.

REUNITED AND IT FEELS SO GOOD: The Lake County Animal Shelter is using a facial recognition app to identify lost dogs and cats, a press release states. Pet owners can use the Finding Rover app to upload a picture of their lost pet into a database. If someone finds it, they can snap a picture with the app and a facial match can be made in seconds. Call 352.343.9688.

A POSITIVE ADDITION: The Education Foundation of Lake County is among Central Florida nonprofit organizations to receive a portion of $30,000 from Addition Financial for emergency funds for students, staff, food banks and other entities due to the COVID-19 pandemic, according to a news release. Addition Financial has credit unions in Leesburg and Clermont.

A BOOM BOON: Alcohol and explosives are always a fun mix, and Americans make good use of the combination every July. Independence Day is America’s top beer-drinking holiday, more than 16,000 fireworks displays are staged each year and more than $1 billion is spent annually on fireworks, according to wallethub.com. We’re guessing that figure could rise dramatically this year as Americans let off some steam.

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SUGAR COOKIE DREAMS: July 9 is National Sugar Cookie Day,, but every day is sugar cookie day for Sandi Vanderwall, aka The Kooky Kutter. She makes and decorates an average of 72 sugar cookies a week. “I dream sugar cookies, and cookie designs are always on my mind,” says Sandi, of The Villages.

IS EMMA OR LIAM ON THE WAY? Will there be a baby boom in Lake and Sumter counties because the coronavirus is keeping people at home? If so, names.org reveals this year’s top baby names: For girls, they are Emma, Olivia, Ava, Charlotte, Sophia, Amelia, Mia, Mila and Harper. For boys, they are Liam, Noah, William, Oliver, Lucas, Benjamin, Elijah, James, Henry and Alexander.

FLYING HIGH: Daniel Dilocker, a technology education teacher at East Ridge Middle School in Clermont, has been named Central Florida’s STEM Teacher of the Year by the Martin H. Harris Chapter of the Air Force Association. He helped incorporate a new robotics course into the curriculum, a press release states. The course allows students to gain industry certification in Autodesk Inventor, which is 3-D modeling software.

‘REVOLUTIONARY’ TEACHERS: The Sons of the American Revolution named Karen Flores as its History Teacher of the Year, according to a press release. Karen, of Eustis Middle School, has taught American history for more than 20 years. Each year, the organization selects one elementary, one middle school and one high school teacher who actively addresses the history of the American Revolutionary War.

GET INKED: Celebrate National Tattoo Day on July 17 with a new, or first, tattoo. Fun fact: Florida is home to the city with the most tattoos in the United States: Miami Beach, according to totalbeauty.com. The city is also home to TLC’s “Miami Ink” TV show.

TOO-MAY-TOE, TOO-MAHTOE: Whichever way you say it, the versatile red fruit is in season this month. Revisit a family pasta sauce recipe or attempt a new feat of gazpacho, a cool tomato soup from Spain with peppers and herbs, which also are in season this month.

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PERSON OF INTEREST

PEO PLE

Terri Kracht Animal-lover is dedicated to serving her community INTERVIEWER: VICTORIA SCHLABIG

What are you passionate about? I’m just passionate about serving others, I always have been. I never looked to have my name in lights, just to help whoever asked. I have a hard time saying no. And my passion is really animal welfare as well.

What community organizations are you involved in? I serve on the

L V I TA AT S ST

• Originally from Orlando. • Has lived in Clermont since 1988.

• December 2019 recipient of the Ann Dupee Gem of the Hills Award.

Know a person of interest? Tell us!

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L A K E A N D S U M T E R S T Y L E .C O M • J U L' 2 0

board of the Animal League, a nonprofit no-kill rescue located in Groveland. They bring in homeless, abused, neglected, abandoned animals and animals that are on euthanasia lists from high-kill shelters. They rehabilitate and get them adopted. My 12-year-old cat, Diva, was adopted from the Animal League in 2008. I’m also the board treasurer for Building Blocks Ministries in Minneola. That is an organization that provides learning and programs for adults with developmental disabilities. I’m also on the foundation board for LifeStream and I have served on the Leadership Lake Board of Regents since 2014.

≈ PHOTO: NICOLE HAMEL

Where’s your happy place? Traveling or cruising to the Caribbean, that’s my guilty pleasure and my happy place. Love, love, love the Caribbean. What’s your greatest accomplishment? Watching my children become great men.

What is something on your bucket list? I would love to visit the continents of Africa and Australia. Those are two places I have not been.

Favorite movie or TV show? Anything that makes me laugh or makes me think. Any quirky comedy and any documentaries that provoke me to think, and of course anything that shows cute animals.

Email your recommendation to victoria@akersmediagroup.com.

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PEO PLE

Christian Ardizone East Ridge High School graduate plans on attending law school.

VITAL STATS

INTERVIEWER: VICTORIA SCHLABIG

≈ PHOTO: NICOLE HAMEL

IAN I ST CHR S IN E E LIV ERD NTV O M

• Born in Orlando. • Parents are Jennifer and John Ardizone. • Ray Goodgame Outstanding Student Award winner.

What are your college plans? I’m

Favorite food? My mom’s stuffed shells,

going to be attending USF (University of South Florida) for business law.

Italian food.

What is your dream job? My dream job is to be like an NBA sports agent, representing a big athlete.

What’s it like being part of this year’s graduating class during a pandemic? I’ll definitely say it’s unfortunate what’s happening because it’s not the typical senior year that everyone envisioned, with graduation, grad bash and just like finishing up senior year at the school with all your friends. But I feel like when we do have that closure (with graduation in June), it’ll definitely be one of the more special ones because of what’s happening.

Do you have a motto or favorite quote? I like Michael Jordan’s quote, “You miss 100 percent of the shots you don’t take.”

Where do you see yourself in five years? Definitely law school so I can get my degree.

What are three words to describe yourself? Caring, passionate and a leader. And in 10 years? Hopefully, in some type of law business or with my dream job already.

What would you do if you had $1 million? I’d buy some shoes, I’d donate some to my church (Resurrection Catholic Church in Winter Garden), I’d give some to my parents for sure and I’d just put the rest in my bank so I have it if I ever need it.

Know an outstanding student? Fill us in!

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Email your recommendations to victoria@akersmediagroup.com

Left to right: Robert Nobles and Sharon Nobles, Nobles’ Marine; and Brad Weber, Chief Lending Officer, Citizens First Bank.

Do You Know Your Banker? The Nobles Family of Nobles’ Marine does!

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MY FIRST TIME

PEO PLE

Raymond York Fish & Wildlife Commission trapper recalls landing his first alligator. INTERVIEWER: JAMES COMBS

oing to trap my first nuisance alligator was exciting. I was confident going into it because I spent 10 years in the Marine Corps and served during Operation Iraqi Freedom. I also had hunted and fished my entire life. My first gator-trapping experience was on Sept. 4, 2013, in a small lake off Ed Douglas Road in Groveland. When I arrived, I saw the nuisance alligator immediately. I used an electronic alligator call to lure the alligator, and it came within approximately 50 yards of my location on a small dock. It never came any closer, so I ended up baiting a fishing line with a piece of chicken. I waited until after dark, but the gator did not take the bait.

What about your first time?

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≈ PHOTO: NICOLE HAMEL The following morning, the woman who called in the complaint called me and said the gator was on the fishing line. I arrived and pulled the line toward me and realized that the alligator was much bigger than I anticipated. The previous day, I saw only the alligator’s head. When the alligator was close enough, I used a bang stick, which discharges a .357 Magnum firearm cartridge to sever the alligator’s spinal cord and brain. I killed the alligator with no trouble whatsoever. However, when I went to lift the alligator out of the water, it was so heavy I could barely move it. So, I tied the rope to my truck bumper and dragged it up to the land. The alligator ended up being 9 feet long. This particular alligator was special because it was the first one I trapped. As a result, I ended up taking the head to a Native American friend, and he made a necklace for me out of the alligator’s teeth. Today, I catch an average of 80 to 100 alligators each year.

To share a story about your first time doing a significant event, email james@akersmediagroup.com.

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An Elegant Twist on Chops

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THIS 'N' THAT

CO MMENTARY

Once around the dial T-pills, Pringles and Angels—TV has it all. Or nothing. STORY: CHRIS GERBASI

was a TV baby. Rather, a TV teen. I watched waaaay too much television growing up because of the lack of a social life. Today, I watch waaaay too much television because of the lack of a social life. But I have way more channels, so my life has improved dramatically. In 1992, Bruce Springsteen released a song titled, “57 Channels (And Nothin’ On).” A lot has changed since

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≈ ILLUSTRATIONS: MEGAN MERICLE

then. Now, it seems like there are 57,000 channels and nothin’ on. While spending even more time at home recently, it’s been fun to flip around the dial (that’s 1950s speak) and explore the outliers on the channel guide—what I call “The Twilight Zone” of channels because you find shows like, well, “The Twilight Zone.” On the occasional night when I have nothing better to do (heavy sarcasm), I go surfing. (Ever notice how people refuse to say they have nothing

to do and that we, as a society, have even coined phrases to avoid saying that? “I’m just chillin’.” “I’m kickin’ back.” You really mean you have absolutely nothing to do and you’re secretly binge-watching “Gilmore Girls” and won’t dare admit it.) My current TV package is a little skimpy on “real” channels. I won’t pay for any extras because I still remember when both America and television were free. About half of the channels are devoted to Spanish-language shows, religious zealots

“MY CURRENT TV PACKAGE IS A LITTLE SKIMPY ON “REAL” CHANNELS. I WON’T PAY FOR ANY EXTRAS BECAUSE I STILL REMEMBER WHEN BOTH AMERICA AND TELEVISION WERE FREE. ”

and infomercials. I must confess, I’ve come close to buying those granite pans with the mini fry pan because the bacon and eggs look so darn tasty on the screen. That’s the power of TV advertising. Who hasn’t thought about buying those unregulated, Brand X testosterone pills? And those ads always seem to be followed by Playboy Channel infomercials, which remind us why television is called “the boob tube.” Generally, commercials are the bane of my existence and I avoid them. Sometimes, though, you wonder, “What if life were like commercials?” Somebody pops a lid on a Pringles can and people start dancing in the streets. “Look everybody! Potato chips! Let’s party!” “And in other news today, a researcher is crediting a major breakthrough in cancer treatment to a pack of Mentos. In a statement, the researcher said, ‘Thank God I brought my Mentos to work today. I felt like I could do anything. Stay fresh, people.’” But I digress, which is so easy to do when you become a TV zombie … watching endless zombie shows. In my day (that’s old-people speak), we didn’t have shows about zombies. We watched shows about odd couples and multimillion-dollar men and bald-headed detectives and island fantasies.

I often gravitate to “nostalgia” channels and 1970s shows. The first time around, I didn’t watch “Charlie’s Angels” much because we had just one good TV and exhibiting adolescent lust in front of the folks would have been, uh, awkward. Not so for middle-age lust. I’m making up for lost time. Who needs T-pills? “Tonight, on a very special episode of ‘Charlie’s Angels,’ the Angels take on the mob while wearing string bikinis.” So many other niche networks exist: Animal Planet, BabyFirst TV, the Olympic Channel, the Smithsonian Channel, the Cowboy Channel and on and on. On RFD-TV, fans of Heidi from “Home Improvement” can find “Debbe Dunning’s Dude Ranch Round-up” and watch Debbe learn how to use a lasso and a whip. Maybe that belongs on the Playboy Channel. The Game Show and Buzzr networks have always been mystifying. I can’t believe anyone would want to see whether Joe Plaidjacket makes a match with Fannie Flagg on a 1974 “Match Game”

episode, but damn if I don’t get suckered in sometimes. My favorite ’70s show of all time was “The Rockford Files,” starring James Garner. The plots usually didn’t make much sense, but Garner was hilarious as the dumped-on, downtrodden Malibu detective. Whenever Rockford was in trouble and time was running short, you suddenly realized what was coming. The action would stop and these words would appear, perhaps fitting as my own epitaph: “To be continued.”

Do you escape from reality by crawling inside your TV? Let me get you some counseling. Email editorial@akersmediagroup.com.

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MAN 2020

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YEAR

BRYAN SMITH, OWNER OF BP SMITH CONSTRUCTION, IS

SERVING ‘VIRTUALLY’

ALL YOUR HOME

IMPROVEMENT NEEDS STORY: VICTORIA SCHLABIG

≈ PHOTOS: DOUGLAS TYLER

P Smith Construction had an upper hand in the virtual world of construction when a quarantine was put into effect in March due to the coronavirus. The company had already made so many tools available to its customers virtually, via its website and a construction project software called Buildertrend, so they were ahead of the game even before Florida’s stay-at-home order. Via BP Smith’s new pricing guide, customers are able to select options for their ideal renovation, addition or new construction job. There you are able to view detailed prices depending on job size and materials, and you can even do virtual walkthroughs of your home with owner Bryan Smith. “We didn’t have to change much businesswise with the quarantine happening, we were ahead of that. Really for us it was customer satisfaction, how can we make it easy for our customers so they don’t have to leave their house,” Bryan says. Bryan’s wife, Krysta, who serves as marketing director, echoes those sentiments. “As a consumer, I always use myself as the example customer because I don’t really know a lot about construction. I always say, ‘Well, if

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it doesn’t make sense to me or I wouldn’t do it, then we need to find a way to make it make sense to me.” Evolving in the way that the company does certain things such as walkthroughs and estimates has been easy due to the commonalities of many projects Bryan takes care of. Video appointments eliminate drive time for both clients and Bryan, and nine times out of 10 people mainly just want to know how much something is going to cost, Bryan says. Bryan utilizes Facetime and Zoom for a customer to walk him through their house, while he can stay at his desk answering any questions they may have regarding a current project’s status, an estimate for a future project, or anything pertaining to a job they’re considering for their home. “Most projects, especially interior renovations, are almost the same, mostly just changing the size. Very seldom you’re gonna get something that’s off the wall where you’ve got four toilets in one bathroom. Typically, if you’re doing a bath remodel you’ve got this set of fixtures in there, so to give somebody an idea of what that’s gonna cost, we can do that, same way as we would in person,” Bryan says. That was the first step towards adding the pricing guide to their website. “It’s broken up by square footage, and by quality of materials, about how much a bathroom, or kitchen, or addition, renovation, whatever, would cost,” Bryan says. If you’re considering adding on a master suite, for example, and have no idea how much it might cost, that’s why the website is advantageous. “I think it gives us a little bit of an edge, especially now. If you’re sitting there quarantined flipping through magazines, we can do it (the estimate) virtually. It really doesn’t take that much time to do, to at least get an idea of how much it’s gonna cost,” says Bryan. As for BP Smith’s use of Buildertrend, the app does everything from offering the ability for homeowners to make their selections online, signing documents and receiving updates in real time on the progress of the project. “We share pictures with our customers, they can share pictures with us, they can

message us back and forth with questions,” says Krysta. “In that same program, we have the ability to track job costs, including our employees’ time spent at each job.” Employees are able to clock in and out of jobs as they come and go, so Bryan is making sure all employees are where they’re supposed to be when they’re supposed to be there. “Each homeowner gets their own portal, so Mr. and Mrs. Jones can go to their phone and it’s gonna show our logo, they’re gonna click on that. They pay their invoices there, they can view what the remaining balance is and view their paid invoices,” Bryan says. Anything pertaining to the job and any documents that have been scanned in by Bryan’s employees, they can view everything just like the builders do. “We take the photos that get sent to the homeowners, and it also helps our subcontractors. I can take a photo, have the subcontractors view it, it’s almost like they’ve just been on the jobsite,” Bryan says. “Everybody can see in real time what is happening right now. It just keeps that communication as open as possible just by photos.” BP Smith Construction typically specializes in large-scale editions, even doubling the square footage of a home with some projects. For second story additions, Bryan says, the company excels in listening to a homeowner’s vision, collaborating with the engineer, draftsmen and subcontractors, and transforming the homeowner’s dream into reality. The company has done whole house renovations, including kitchens, bathrooms, and projects that consist of tearing almost the whole house down and building it right back up to fit the homeowner’s new needs. “Our target for new construction is entry level, which basically means if you’re downsizing, you’re a first-time homebuilder, $200,000 kind of price area. We’ve got plans that are targeted towards that. We can save somebody a lot of money to do something and we take pride in that. We want the finished product to be as close as possible to what they were hoping for,” Bryan says. As for Bryan’s staff, the most important thing they focus on when planning an addition is considering how to add onto a house and make it seem natural, and make it improve

the home. “These are home improvements, they’re not supposed to look like add-ons,” Krysta adds. Bryan’s main goal is to inform his customers and be as transparent about what it really costs. “When you have to make selections for a house, that’s when people realize, wow, just door handles and what are the hinge colors, baseboard, crown molding… Once you’ve selected everything, then you’ll realize how much stuff goes into the whole process,” Bryan says. “People assume builders must make so much money because it costs so much to build a house. Well, no, it just costs a lot to build a house,” Krysta says. Bryan wants customers to know that they can call to set up a virtual appointment; the Smiths also direct people to the website. “With the pricing guide people have an idea of what they’re getting. And if they’re comfortable with that, then we can go into a full estimate. People don’t like to get fudged numbers. This actually gives them an opportunity to get that uncomfortable money talk out of the way,” says Bryan. “We’re trying to be as transparent as possible.”

Home remodel photos by Stephen Flint Photography

“WE CAN SAVE SOMEBODY A LOT OF MONEY TO DO SOMETHING AND WE TAKE PRIDE IN THAT. WE WANT THE FINISHED PRODUCT TO BE AS CLOSE AS POSSIBLE TO WHAT THEY WERE HOPING FOR.” — B RYA N S M I T H

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You see them every day. You may do business with them. They’re your neighbors and friends—the 2020 Business Men of Style. PAID PROMOTIONAL FEATURE

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Bill Farmer

SUMTER COUNTY SHERIFF

Sheriff Bill Farmer 352.569.1600 / Sumtercountysheriff.org 7361 Powell Road, Wildwood Since being elected as Sheriff of Sumter County in 1996, Bill Farmer has taken a simple but effective approach. “I’ve always tried to get my employees to treat others like they want to be treated,” he says. “Whether it’s a rancher in rural Sumter County or a retiree in The Villages, I do my best to serve both demographics.” Sheriff Farmer, who joined the agency in 1971, is running for re-election. The Sheriff’s Office has undergone many changes during his tenure, which include building a new jail, installing GPS systems in patrol cars and issuing body cameras. Sheriff Farmer has taken a non-traditional approach instituting programs such as scent kits, Vial of Life and Peace of Mind. “I’ve always tried to stay ahead,” he says.

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DOUBLE BOARD-CERTIFIED FACIAL PLASTIC SURGEON

Larry Blevins, PA

ASLMS FELLOW & NATIONAL TRAINER

VIP - Village Institute of Plastic Surgery 352.259.8599 / plasticsurgeryvip.com Dr. Danny Soares, Mr. Larry Blevins, PA, Dr. Roberto Mendez (not pictured) and their VIP team go out of their way to give every patient the VIP experience when they walk into their office. They credit their ever-growing success since 2005 to the consistent positive word-of-mouth from their customers, who have made them the largest plastic surgery office for the residents of The Villages and surrounding areas. Dr. Soares is a triple board-certified plastic surgeon specializing in procedures of the neck up and is well known for his success as a face lift “expert.” Mr. Blevins, PA is

considered to highest volume injector in Central Florida and has become a Master Injector Trainer, giving colleagues insight into his skillful use of dermal filler. Dr. Mendez is a world class Plastic Surgeon who has mastered the art of the “Mommy Makeover,” which includes procedures such as breast augmentation, tummy tucks and liposuction. It is immediately apparent when you walk into their beautiful new office location that the providers and staff at VIP are a cut above. “Our goal at VIP is to help you reclaim your natural beauty,” explains Dr. Soares, “while treating you like family with the utmost compassion and care.”

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Danny Soares, MD

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Jason Paynter

BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT

Joe Ciceri OWNER

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Electrical Works 352.460.0810 / 8010 U.S. Hwy. 441, Leesburg Electricalworksflorida.com Bright days are ahead for Electrical Works, which recently moved to a larger and more visible location along U.S. Hwy. 441 in Leesburg. The 11,000 square-foot building “fits our brand better and allows more room for growth,” says owner Joe Ciceri. The timing of the move is perfect. The company recently partnered with Lake-Sumter State College to offer an electrician apprenticeship program. Through the apprenticeship, students will earn college credits at LSSC while undergoing on-the-job training at Electrical Works. “Having an apprenticeship will be beneficial because we’ll create a pool of local talent to hire from,” says Jason Paynter, who oversees business development. While Electrical Works continues to provide services to residential customers, the company hopes to continue expanding its services offered to commercial customers. Joe maintains a soft spot in his heart for local nonprofit organizations that help kids. During these difficult economic times, he continues to support them. “These nonprofit organizations make a big difference in our community and for our kids, and I want to help them in any way I can,” Joe says.

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Cameron Lucas

OWNER

Lucas Air Conditioning and Heating 352.805.0359 / 11433 U.S. Highway 441, Suite 5, Tavares / lucas-air.com Cameron Lucas served eight years in the U.S. Army and was deployed to Iraq in 2011 with the 82nd Airborne Division. After working three years as a recruiter in Leesburg, he obtained his license in HVAC and began his own business in January 2018. “We provide quality service in a timely manner,” says Cameron.

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The company does everything from residential to commercial jobs and provides discounts to veterans, active military and first responders. “My first year in business went from just me and a van to now having seven employees with a fleet of vehicles,” says Cameron, adding his staff is devoted to treating customers like family.

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Rev. Dr. Isaac Deas LMHC, Ed.D. M.C., M.P.A., M.ED.

Deas Consulting, LLC 352.406.1264 / 385 W. Alfred St., Tavares “My message to men: the better you take care of yourself mentally, spiritually, emotionally, the better you can take care of your family,” says Isaac Deas, a licensed mental health counselor and owner of Deas Consulting LLC. He counsels men, women, children, families, couples, and he has seen an increase in substance abuse, depression, anxiety, stress, domestic violence and marital issues from COVID-19. “For couples, the order of any perfect relationship is communication, respect, honesty, trust, finances, intimacy,” says Isaac. “The first four things are your foundation. I tell men all the time, if you keep the first four things together, a woman would live in a shoebox with you, if she knew you loved her and had her back.”

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Judd Dickerson AIA, NCARB, REALTOR ®

Dickerson Architects Inc. 352.787.3771 / info@dickersonarchitect.com 1215 Penn St., Leesburg

Morris Realty & Investments 352.435.4663 / morrisrealtors.com 10135 U.S. Hwy, 441, #3, Leesburg 1217 W. Miller St, Suite 6, Fruitland Park As president of the award-winning firm of Dickerson Architects Inc., Judd Dickerson has more than 25 years of architecture experience. His firm designs commercial, medical, dental, retail, religious, food/ entertainment, recreational and public works facilities. Judd has taken his experience in building and property development into the real estate world as a Realtor with Morris Realty & Investments. As a Lake County native, he brings local knowledge to the table and can assist clients in taking their ideas from conception to the final walk-through. He is wellconnected with the construction industry and has qualified consultants on his team. The meshing of these two professions is a great fit and a service that most other architects or Realtors can’t offer. Away from work, Judd enjoys spending time with his wife and two sons at the beach, fishing, golfing or at the baseball field or in the gym.

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Jacob Townley

MANAGER/SENIOR SALES STAFF

SON/SENIOR SALES STAFF

James McGrail

ON-SITE MASTER JEWLER

Arden’s Fine Jewelers 352.751.6613 / 1060 Canal St., The Villages / ardensjewelers.com Your local family-owned and operated jewelry store, Arden’s Fine Jewelers, makes customers a top priority. Son and Senior Sales Staff, Jacob Townley, wants customers to experience the best service possible when purchasing jewelry. The Arden’s team encompasses meticulous attention to detail and invests in providing clients with the best quality and designs. Manager Jordan Six shares, “Jewelry is a physical expression of appreciation, joy, and

love. Being able to help people bring happiness to themselves or loved ones is my passion.” All services are performed on-site by Master Jeweler James McGrail, along with his craftsmanship using a state-of-the-art laser welder. Arden’s provides clients with an exquisite selection of designer jewelry and custom-made pieces, their on-site services include diamond and gold buying, appraisals, jewelry cleaning, engraving and jewelry repair.

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Jordan Six

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Kevin Shipley 352.744.7539

Guy Shipley 321.356.3755

Charlie Costar 407.402.5123

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Mike Barrett 352.255.5710

Scott Strem 352.978.3428

Joe Meany 352.255.8603

Morris Realty & Investments 10135 U.S. Hwy. 441, Ste. 3, Leesburg / 352.435.4663

1217 W. Miller St., Fruitland Park / 352.530.2665 / morrisrealtors.com

Integrity and experience equal results for the men of Morris Realty and Investments. Their elite team takes great pride in being professional and knowledgeable. Morris Realty and Investments is the culmination of years of industry-leading service, and as a top producing team, their service to the community makes Morris Realty and Investments the name in real estate. Year after year, the all-star team at Morris Realty does what it takes to succeed. Their agents are more active, more productive and work harder for their clients. As a result, Morris Realty consistently ranks among the top 10 agencies in Lake and Sumter counties against much larger agencies. The men of Morris are here to provide advice and put the information you need right at your fingertips. A better team. A better plan. The Strategy for Success.

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Dr. John Chiaramonti O.D.

EyeSite 352.674.3937 / 2909 Traverse Trail / eyesite-thevillages.com As you walk in, you’re immediately greeted with a smile and handshake. You can sip on wine or pour yourself a cup of coffee or tea. Then, you sit back and relax to the music playing in the background. At EyeSite of The Villages, optometrists Dr. Paul Collins and Dr. John Chiaramonti do everything in their power to make patients feel right at home. They spend ample time

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with patients to ensure each one receives advanced eye care and unmatched personal care. “We’re a local, small, independent company and pride ourselves on developing personal relationships,” Dr. Collins says. EyeSite sells American-made eyewear. Soon, the company will open a second location, Specs Appeal, at Center for Advanced HealthCare at Brownwood®.

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Dr. Paul Collins O.D.

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Davis Talmage

INSURANCE RISK ADVISOR

LassiterWare 352.787.3441 / 1317 Citizens Blvd., Leesburg Davis Talmage, an insurance risk & investment advisor, was looking for an opportunity to expand his business when LassiterWare came to him, showing their platform and extensive services. He joined the Leesburg company three years ago. “I take a holistic approach to my client’s risk profile from their business practices all the way to their investment assets. As Risk Managers, we analyze our client’s specific needs and guide them on a path that will reduce risk and allow them to retain profits.” He praises LassiterWare’s investment in the community. “Our clients really do feel the impact of it; we are really a partner.”

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Blake Keedy OWNER

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Quality Screen and Aluminum Inc., QSA Outdoor Living 352.326.9090 / 11005 US-441, Leesburg myqualityscreens.com Blake Keedy, owner of Quality Screen and Aluminum, has always been a hands-on contractor, visiting the job site often to ensure quality construction. Quality Screen and Aluminum provides clients with screen enclosures, pool enclosure, gutters, garage screens, screened front entry ways, and screen repairs among many other outdoor living needs. “We are a medium-size company that can handle any job, large or small. I’m hands on, not someone who just sits back,” Blake says. When hurricane Irma came through in 2017, the business exploded, and the company saw an opportunity to open a showroom for patio furniture and accessories. “We would visit our customers six months after the screen enclosure was complete and find that they didn’t have anything on their patio except folding camp chairs. This was something we could make available for customers to help them create a more comfortable and personalized living space with quality construction to last over the years and wouldn’t need to be replaced every year or so,” Blake says. In July 2018, Blake opened QSA Outdoor Living, offering patio furniture, grills, patio décor, rugs and accessories to enhance our customers’ outdoor living spaces. While Blake is out doing estimates and checking in on jobs, office manager Deanna Slone handles all the patio décor needs. When a customer comes into the showroom with a vision, from traditional to modern styles, Deanna will help them choose the colors and materials of the furniture, depending upon each customer’s needs and preferences. Whether you are looking for dock furniture to weather frequent afternoon storms, or covered lanai furniture, QSA Outdoor Living is able to provide many options to meet your needs.

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Bryan Smith OWNER

BP Smith Construction 352.609.5979 / 326 E. Alfred St., Tavares bpsmithconstruction.com With a wife, Krysta, and three kids—Dylan, 17, Quynn, 9 and Soryn, 5—Bryan Smith believes in strong family values. These same values are the cornerstones of his family-owned business, BP Smith Construction, which focuses on whole-house remodeling projects and building entry-level homes that cost $200,000 or less. Bryan’s commitment to quality service and quality craftsmanship explain why his company has grown each year since he opened it in April 2017. Now, he’s in the process of hiring a construction manager who shares the same values as himself. “We have a candidate in mind who believes in treating each client like a family member,” Bryan says. “Someone once told me that I should work on my business and not in my business. I feel confident that he’ll successfully manage our day-to-day construction so I can focus on improving our business.”

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Randy Erb

YOUR REAL ESTATE GO-TO GUY

Realtor Randy 352.431.8179 / The Villages RandyErb@gmail.com Realtor® Randy Erb enjoys helping people with their real estate needs. He serves in The Villages and also surrounding communities. “I love helping people from Start to Finish, whether it’s finding their Dream Home, or getting their home SOLD! ” says Randy, who moved to Florida five years ago to escape the cold gray winters of northern Indiana. “Real estate can be confusing. I make it a low stress, smooth understood transaction for clients,” he says. “People are closing one chapter and opening the next. Some are downsizing, some are relocating locally, some even move out of state and others are investing. People hire me because I listen, I’m available and always willing to go the extra mile for them.”

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Trinity Constructors LLC 352.801.7713 / 105 E. Berckman St. Suite C, Fruitland Park trinityconstructorsllc.com Trinity Constructors LLC, located at 105 E Berckman Street Fruitland Park, is a full-service general contractor, licensed by the state of Florida, that services commercial, residential, and industrial projects throughout the State. Started in October 2014 by Peter W Helmus, Field Operations and Robert M Sullivan, Business Development, these two businessmen relied heavily on their faith in Jesus Christ to create a business with strong ethics. Along with Joshua Walker, VP of Operations, the desire for excellence in construction drives the company’s moto of “Work Hard, Stay Humble”.

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“We are all about integrity and honesty” Peter Says. Trinity Constructors has a dedicated staff to service clients in and around The Villages community. From building your custom dream home to building a hotel, Trinity possesses the professional experience to successfully complete any project. With the mindset of “People over Profits”, the team is heavily involved in community and missions work, from partnering with local charities to international mission work. “God has blessed us with opportunity to share the love of Jesus”, says Robert.

Joshua Walker

Pete Helmus

VP OF OPERATIONS

FIELD OPERATIONS

Robert Sullivan

BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT

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Jason Scott Gary King

Carlos Rodriguez

David Hoffman

All German Motorworks 352.787.8778 / 109 Weber Ave., Leesburg Gary King, owner of All German Motorworks in Leesburg, has a simple business philosophy. He might not be the cheapest in town, but he definitely strives to be the fairest and most honest. “I’d rather take $1 from a million people than $1 million from one person,” says Gary, who opened the company in 2016. His company services and repairs German automobiles such as Audi, Porsche, BMW and Mercedes. For him, honesty is valued more than money. He’ll gladly discuss a repair situation with

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a customer and advise them to whether the repair is in the best interest of the customer rather than the best interest of his shop. And for his female customers, he believes in education when it comes to their cars rather than them being told what is wrong and what to do. The ladies of the home “always” has the final say, even in his shop. For the ladies, “Knowledge is power.” “We’ll let women see under the car so they can better understand the problem,” he says. “By treating people honestly, I always win, even when I am wrong.”

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OWNER

Ryan Roberts Construction 352.735.1410 / ryan@robertsinsurancefl.com / robertsconstructionfl.com At Roberts Construction, you can count on Ryan Roberts being on-site from the beginning to end of building your perfect home. “I actually physically do the work from digging out footers to prepping the floor, installing doors, windows, flooring, cabinets,” Ryan says. “Me physically being there and seeing what’s actually going on, you get a better-quality house that lasts forever.” A third-generation builder, Ryan is seasoned in the trade. He grew up working with his father and grandfather, who were also builders in Lake County. “Every house is custom, no

cookie cutters, so my clients bring an image of what they have to me and I draft it up myself personally,” Ryan says. Roberts Construction works throughout Lake County, primarily in Eustis, Umatilla, Sorrento, Mount Dora and Tavares. Also owning Roberts Insurance, Ryan ensures that if anything were to happen to your home, you know it will be covered by homeowner’s insurance, which Ryan writes up himself after your home is completed. Many clients of Roberts Construction are customers of Roberts Insurance as well.

Ryan Roberts

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Fernando Serra PLASTIC SURGEON

Central Florida Plastic Surgery 910 Old Camp Road, Suite 142, The Villages / 352.259.0722 Dr. Serra grew up in Bushnell, graduating from South Sumter High School before attending the University of Florida and doing his residency at Ohio State University. He is a board-certified plastic surgeon and has been practicing in Central Florida since 1998. “I meet with patients at least twice before surgery to establish a connection and build rapport,” Dr. Serra says. “Each patient is unique, and every case is different. I create a custom plan for each one, choosing the correct strategy tailored specifically for that individual.” Because Dr. Serra understands plastic surgery issues are often intimate to discuss, his office is a friendly and welcoming place where every effort is made to put the patient at ease.

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352.435.7849 1208 W. Dixie Ave, Leesburg drzpodiatry.com

Dr. Erik Zimmermann PODIATRIST

Dr. Erik Zimmermann has been treating foot and ankle problems in Lake and Sumter County for 20 years, the past 18 months at his new Leesburg location. “I have three fulltime assistants to help me,” he says. “Our main focus is innovative conservative care; the treatment and solution of problems without requiring surgery.” Zimmermann Podiatry treats everything from toenail fungus, wounds, heel pain, fractures, ingrowing nails, neuropathy and more. “Patients always tell us that our office is fun,” says Dr. Zimmermann, a Seinfeld fanatic, “We play ‘Seinfeld’ in the lobby and we have three Seinfeld-themed treatment rooms: a Kramer room, a George room and an Elaine room. We try to make it fun for ourselves and the patients; our office is a nice, laid-back place.”

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Central Florida Roof Rescue 352.346.8919 / 357 Pond Road, Mount Dora centralflroofrescue.com Mike Sparks spent 15 years in the U.S. Army as an aviation mechanic, in the 160th Nightstalker Unit. When he got out, he embarked on a career that took him to even greater heights. Mike opened a veteran-owned business, Central Florida Roof Rescue. The work ethic that he developed in the military is on display each day. Mike is different from most business owners in that he doesn’t sit in an air-conditioned office all day dealing with endless paperwork. Rain or shine, Mike chooses to be out in the field with his employees tackling roofing jobs that are hard and dirty. For Mike, who continues serving in the U.S. Army Reserves, operating a veteranowned company is a point of pride. Honesty, integrity and quality are the principles on which he built his company.

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Armed for greatness Ace pitcher Shawn Guilliams has his sights set on the Major Leagues STORY: JAMES COMBS

eat. Gas. Smoke. Call Shawn Guilliams’ 94 mph fastball what you will. It just may earn The Villages High School star pitcher an opportunity to one day fulfill his dream of playing in the Major Leagues. That dream was temporarily put on hold after he went undrafted in the 2020 MLB Draft. His family, friends and coaches gathered at the La Hacienda Recreation Center on June 11 for a draft party. He would have been the first baseball player from The Villages Charter High School to be drafted. But it’s only a minor setback for Shawn, who just turned 18 and has unlimited upside. Now, he’ll play baseball for three years at the University of North Florida, where he’ll hone his pitching skills and focus on being selected in the first round of the 2023 MLB Draft. “I’m going to continue working hard and pushing myself to reach my goal,” he says. Shawn burst onto the scene of top high school prospects when he transitioned from shortstop to pitcher before the beginning of his junior season. Since then, he has been lighting up radar guns with his fiery fastball. In fact, he led The Villages High School to the Class 5A, Region 2 baseball final in 2019. Last summer, he played on a travel team with the Gatorball Baseball Academy and competed against Florida’s elite high school baseball players. College coaches took notice. He was recruited by Wake Forest, North Carolina State and Florida Atlantic University. “I chose the University of North Florida because it felt like home,” he says. “I loved both the campus and the area.” In February 2020, he attended the Super 60, an event in Chicago where top high school prospects from around the country are evaluated by major league scouts. Shawn was whipping his fastball at 94 mph and also featured a wicked curveball. “I felt like I showcased myself well at the Super 60,” Shawn says. Scouts were impressed. Several weeks later, 17 of them showed up to Shawn’s first game of his senior season and used a radar gun to measure the speed of his pitches. For Brady Bogart, head baseball coach of The Villages Charter High School, seeing Shawn transition from an undersized freshman into an ace pitcher has been a joy. “His story is very special,” Brady says. “He came into our program standing 5 feet 9 inches tall and weighing 125 pounds soaking wet. He didn’t have all the tools, size and speed of some kids. However, his work ethic during the past several years has been tremendous, and he’s passionate about the game of baseball. He has shot up to 6 feet 1 inch and now weighs 180 pounds. He’s a fantastic baseball player and an even better person.”

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SHAWN UP CLOSE AND PERSONAL: Dream team to play for: I would be happy to get a chance to play for anybody, but growing up I was a Cincinnati Reds fan.

Greatest strength as a baseball player: I have a lot of upside and a lot of room to get better. That potential growth is attractive to scouts.

Weaknesses in your game you can improve upon: My changeup. I don’t have to throw many changeups in high school because I can throw a fastball 94 mph. I’ll get better as I continue practicing my changeup.

Positions you’ve played: Outfield, shortstop, catcher and pitcher.

Favorite professional baseball player: Walker Buehler, a pitcher for the Los Angeles Dodgers. I love the energy he brings to the game, and he’s super fun to watch.

Favorite professional baseball team: Cincinnati Reds.

Effect of coronavirus on your game: If the season would have continued, more teams would have been interested and I’d be looking at getting drafted higher.

Personal exercise regimen: I lift weights and

lots of protein, including bacon and sausage in the morning and chicken and steak at night.

Happiest baseball moment: During my junior year, my brother, Michael, got moved up to varsity and played catcher. I was starting pitcher that night and ended up throwing a no-hitter. That was pretty special.

Most disappointing baseball moment: During my junior year, we faced Bishop Moore in the Class 5A, Region 2 baseball final. We went into extra innings, and in the bottom of the ninth Bishop Moore hit a walk-off homerun to win the game. That was heartbreaking.

Hobbies outside of baseball: I like to golf. I also have annual passes to Universal Studios and visit frequently.

Biggest influence in life: My father, Brian. He always taught me to work as hard as you can to achieve your goals and never back down to anybody.

Grade-point average: 3.9 Favorite school subject: Math. Guilty pleasure: Pizza. I eat a little too much of it. I also tend to be a late-night snacker.

throw the baseball every day.

Favorite healthy foods: I eat four healthy meals a day and many healthy snacks. At the beginning of last school year, I weighed 155 pounds. I’ve bulked up to 180 pounds. I eat

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Pets: I have three cats. Career aspirations if baseball doesn’t pan out: I’d like to be a sports agent or have a position in sports management.

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A Seminole sensation South Lake High School outfielder Anthony Shaver will showcase his talent at FSU. STORY: THERESA CAMPBELL

lorida State University advanced to the College World Series in 2019, and the Seminoles look to be even stronger this year with the addition of South Lake High School baseball player Anthony Shaver. Anthony, a 6-foot 1-inch outfielder, possesses a rare combination of speed and power. He runs a 60-yard dash in 6.45 and the power hitter can easily belt a ball out of any park. He was listed among Baseball Factory’s Top 100 high school players in 2020.

He thought there was an outside shot at being drafted in the 2020 MLB Draft, but it didn’t happen. Still, he is preparing for his upcoming season at FSU. “I’ve been counting down the days since the beginning of high school season. It’s very exciting and I’ve been staying busy with hitting and all that stuff, trying to prepare for anything special to happen.”

ANTHONY UP CLOSE AND PERSONAL: Age: 18

weakness is probably technical Favorite healthy foods: I action or just timing, and that’s enjoy eating salads. Every time pretty much it, offensively. I go out to restaurants, I’ll look School: South Lake at the salads just because I feel High School. Positions you’ve played: My like I play better whenever I am Dream team to play for: I main position is outfield, but I eating that type of food. I always feel like the day before (a game) catch in high school. would like to stay local so my I’m eating healthier and staying family can be closer to me, away from junk food. It just either to come watch a game, Favorite professional or just to hang out. baseball team: I really don’t improves my game. favor any team. I just like the good players and that’s really Greatest strength as a Happiest baseball baseball player: I’m a good what I like to see and those moment: Probably when I that have a good personality. team player. I’m not going to was 12 and we made it to the put somebody down; I’m going Dixie World Series, when to try to get the best out of nobody thought our league Effect of coronavirus on all my teammates. Physically, your game: Not being able to had a chance. I believe I’m a strong power pitch as often. The season was hitter with speed. It’s a combo cut short, but nothing really Hobbies outside of that not many people have. kept me from working hard to baseball: I like being on the be a better player. lake a lot and doing water sports; hanging out with Weaknesses in your game friends; and I was on a bowling Personal exercise you can improve upon: I team in high school. believe everybody can improve regimen: When the gyms in something, no matter opened up, I started going back how good you are. Nobody is to the gym and usually go to Biggest influence in perfect. I believe my biggest Ocoee and do batting practices. life: Definitely both of my

parents, Tony and Tricia Shave. My dad for baseball because he played in the minor leagues as a baseball player and he’s been able to help me out throughout my whole life and before I started playing. And my mom, school-wise, she has always kept me on track and always told me to keep my head straight and that kind of stuff.

Grade-point average: 3.6 unweighted, 4.1 weighted.

Favorite school subject: Math. Pets: Two cats. Career aspiration if baseball doesn’t pan out: Physical therapy or something including math.

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SENIORS! he coronavirus affected local high school seniors in an unprecedented way. They missed out on prom, senior trips, sports, extracurricular activities, normal graduation ceremonies and social interaction.

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That’s sad, because being a senior is one of the high points of a teenager’s life. However, despite the setbacks they endured, seniors in Lake and Sumter counties are certainly not forgotten. In the following pages, Lake and Sumter Style is sharing the names and

faces of this year’s crop of seniors who have worked tirelessly to earn the proud title of high school graduate. Well done, ladies and gentlemen! We wish all of you the best of luck as you bravely venture into a new chapter of your lives.

Gabriel Alexander Lake County Virtual School

Jordan Alexander Lake County Virtual School

Alissa Alston Leesburg High School

Jaylyn Skye Andrews Leesburg High School

Isabelle Benham Eustis High School

Claudia Layne Berry Tavares High School

Kristen Berry Leesburg High School

Ja’Quaylon Berry-Hughes Tavares High School

Layne Bibler The Villages Charter

Devin Burkes The Villages Charter

Shaela Bybee Montverde Academy

April Carr The Villages Charter

Courtney Chastain The Villages Charter

Olivia Chestnut Montverde Academy

Megan Clark Adventure Christian Academy

Noemi Clough Lake Minneola High School

Conner Cornell The Villages Charter

Anna Cowham First Academy

Emily Cronk Tavares High School

Ashleigh Cropp Umatilla High School

Kiana Cruz Eustis High School

Treavon Cummings First Academy

Tristan Davison Leesburg High School

Tori Lynn Dusso Leesburg High School

Shea Dwyer Tavares High School

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Gretchen Faraci South Lake High School

Shanyiah Fields Tavares High School

Mimi Filkin Tavares High School

Samantha Futch Leesburg High School

Anthony D. Giunta First Academy

Jadyn B. Green Umatilla High School

Garrett Hampton First Academy

Taylor Hileman Home-schooler

Jessica Hoey Leesburg High School

John Holden Holaway Tavares High School

Brody Holtman Mount Dora High School

Harmony Hunt Tavares High School

Ashlyn Samone Hunter First Academy

William Janes Tavares High School

Ryan Keating Leesburg High School

Katherine Kelly Tavares High School

Katelyn Kennedy Tavares High School

Parker Kruse South Lake High School

Trevor Levy Eustis High School

Caleb Leware First Academy

Jasmin Lopez Lake Minneola High School

Noah Joseph Lundy The Villages Charter

Paige Elizabeth McCall The Villages Charter

Dixie Rose Mikell Eustis High School

Bayleigh Miller-Ulrich East Ridge High School

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Braiden Joseph Neck The Villages Charter

Cameron Norton The Villages Charter

Tyler Norton The Villages Charter

Jake Olivera First Academy

Aliyah Osborn Tavares High School

Hannah Pait The Villages Charter

Jackson Park The Villages Charter

Kaylee Forsyth Park The Villages Charter

Zoie Park The Villages Charter

Lilly Parker Umatilla High School

Jadeyn Pfister Tavares High School

Amanda Phillips Florida Virtual School

Alex Quinian Mount Dora High School

Thomas “Waylon” Rector Leesburg High School

Madeleine Reed Tavares High School

Kamryn Reynolds Leesburg High School

Sydney Richason-Bugg The Villages Charter

Tyler Roethlisberger Sumter County Virtual

Kahrizma Hope Romine The Villages Charter

Isabel Rose The Villages Charter

Shiloh Sanchez The Villages Charter

Jenna Schmidt The Villages Charter

Acadia Schwartz Leesburg High School

Josh Shaneyfelt Umatilla High School

Jacob Shaver East Ridge High School

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Joshua Shaver East Ridge High School

Avery Standifer Leesburg High School

Riley Standifer Leesburg High School

Cole Stinson Tavares High School

Jackson Lee Storts Leesburg High School

Allison Taylor Lake Minneola High School

Makiya Thomas Leesburg High School

Sommer Triesh Wildwood Middle High School

Arashary Tucker Lake Minneola High School

Emily Vazquez Tavares High School

Abbigail Wade First Academy

Anna Marie Wellman First Academy

Marshall Widmann Leesburg High School

Payton Widmann Leesburg High School

Zachary Williams Leesburg High School

Cassidy Woods The Villages Charter

Taylor Woods Leesburg High School

Ricardo Wright The Villages Charter

Austin Wyatt The Villages Charter

Taylor Yasbeck First Academy

Hannah Yoder The Villages Charter

Ivey Young Leesburg High School

Fiona Rose Zagorini Mount Dora High School

Najma Zahira Leesburg High School

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Rollin’ on the lake

The Dora Queen will offer the thrill and nostalgia of a riverboat cruise on Lake Dora. STORY: JAMES COMBS

≈ PHOTOS: DOUGLAS TYLER

n any given day, catamarans, sailboats and other vessels glide across Lake Dora. Now, they’ll share the lake with royalty. The Dora Queen, a 1920s paddlewheel riverboat replica, is docked near Wooton Park in Tavares. Her majesty hasn’t taken her maiden voyage, but soon passengers will step aboard and experience a level of elegance, class and comfort that only a queen can deliver. The double-decker, 80-foot-long riverboat will take passengers on afternoon cruises from Wednesday through Friday and sunset cruises from Friday to Sunday. Owners Brian and Brandy Herron, of Mount Dora, hope to begin operating in July or August and are awaiting one final U.S. Coast Guard inspection. The coronavirus outbreak has slowed the certification process. “This isn’t a narrated tour boat; it’s a pleasure cruise,” says Brian, who has a captain’s license. “We want everyone to relax and enjoy being on the lake.”

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“THE DORA QUEEN IS A SHOWPIECE, AND I’M GLAD TO The Dora Queen, powered by two 250-horsepower engines, was constructed with comfort in mind. Hightop bar tables and patio love seats await passengers on the top deck, which is covered by an overhead canopy to stave off the hot Florida sun. It’s a little cooler on the bottom deck, where passengers can sit in an enclosed, air-conditioned dining room. Both levels feature bars, lounge-style seating and speakers that deliver top-quality sound. The boat is aesthetically pleasing, too, with red ornamental railing and colorchanging LED lights on the paddlewheel and boat perimeter. City Administrator John Drury says the riverboat will complement other Tavares attractions such as seaplane rides and steam-powered train rides. “America’s Seaplane City, Tavares, embraces an entrepreneurial spirit, like the Dora Queen owners, and therefore, the Dora Queen is just the right fit for both them and the city,” he says. “That sense of romanticism and adventure which embodies the seaplane flight

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experience also is present with the Dora Queen, with one added thing— nostalgia—that wistful affection so many of us have for the past.” Operating the Dora Queen will be a full-time job for Brian and Brandy and represents a career about-face. Brian formerly owned a ServiceMaster franchise, which provides homeowners with disaster restoration, while Brandy was a marketing representative for a medical imaging company and a former schoolteacher. “We were both looking for a life change,” Brandy says. The opportunity came several years ago when they discovered that the Contessa, the boat where they had their wedding rehearsal dinner in 2001, was sitting idle at Trident Pontoons in Tavares. The Contessa formerly took passengers through Dead River and into Lake Harris. They purchased the boat in 2017. Brian and Brandy, avid boaters who live on Lake Gertrude, wanted to allow locals

and tourists alike to experience Lake Dora’s beauty in a whole new way. “We thought an old-style paddlewheel boat would be perfect for Lake Dora,” Brian says. “There has never been anything like that offered on this lake. People can enjoy the water, have some drinks and listen to music.” They hired Robbie Cunningham, owner of Trident Pontoons, to refurbish the Contessa into the Dora Queen because of his impressive credentials. During the past 22 years, Robbie has built 800 boats, some of which now operate in faraway places such as South America, Europe and Africa. He’s also the man who built the Contessa in the late 1990s, as well as tour boats that take passengers through the Dora Canal. The project took 2½ years to complete. Robbie kept some parts of the Contessa intact, including the wheelhouse where the captain navigates the boat, the paddlewheel and the red ornamental railing that wraps around the top deck. “The Dora Queen is essentially a brandnew boat,” Robbie says. “However, since

HAVE IT OPERATING ON LAKE DORA.” some parts of the Contessa were in really good shape, we decided to use them.” By the time the project was finished, the Dora Queen ended up significantly larger than the Contessa. It features a second bathroom, a wraparound walkway on the top deck and a larger dining area. The Dora Queen is certified to hold 134 passengers, although the Herrons might limit capacity to 100 passengers for comfort. The Contessa held 49 passengers. “I think I was excited as Brian and Brandy to see that boat come together,” Robbie says. “The Dora Queen is a showpiece, and I’m glad to have it operating on Lake Dora.” While the boat will always dock at Wooton Park, the Herrons occasionally will pick up passengers from the 4th Avenue boat docks in Mount Dora. The weekday afternoon cruises will last 90 minutes, while the weekend sunset cruises featuring live bands will run for two hours. The boat also will be available for rentals for private parties, birthdays, rehearsal dinners and family reunions.

“For private events, we have a galley, so caterers can come aboard,” Brian says. The Herrons plan to conduct special cruises and serve hors d’oeuvres for seasonal events such as Valentine’s Day and Mother’s Day. They also may offer a “locals day” when Lake County residents pay a discounted price. “We’re thinking about selling an annual pass,” Brian says. “We’re going to learn as we go. This is completely new to us. We’ll see what works and what doesn’t.” Their 16-year-old son, Braeden, will also work on the boat. They have received plenty of positive feedback about their new business venture. “A lot of people have asked us why we don’t have something like this already,” Brandy says. “They want a new and exciting way to see Lake Dora. Tavares has become an entertainment district, and that’s why I think our boat will fit in nicely. We’re like a party bus on the water.” City officials are excited to see that party bus get moving.

—ROBBIE CUNNINGHAM

“This is a one-of-a-kind attraction, and we’re proud to have it based in our city,” Tavares Councilwoman Lou Buigas says. “Having the Dora Queen will help promote us as a destination, and it builds on our history, our quality of life and entertainment options.”

IF YOU GO

THE DORA QUEEN 352.533.3380 / info@doraqueen.com / doraqueen.com Wednesday-Friday afternoon cruises Adult (ages 13+) $34 Children (ages 2-12) $24 Friday-Sunday evening cruises Adult (ages 13+) $39 Children (ages 2-12) $29

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What are those things behind Leesburg sculptor Russell Bellamy?

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Move to the beat of one of your favorite performers at one of these great concerts or local venues! 7/9 @ 7pm

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7/11 @ noon C.O.D. FLORIDA Hurricane Dockside, Tavares

7/11 @ 8pm LONIE CARTER Crossroads 44, Eustis

7/11 @ 9pm BAR FLY Oasis Saloon, Sorrento

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7/18 @ 9pm SEPTEMBER DOGS Frank’s Place, Leesburg

7/24 @ 9pm SEPTEMBER DOGS Oasis Saloon, Sorrento

7/25 @ 8pm TRACKSIDE BAND Good Time Bar and Grill, Belleview

7/30 @ 7pm GREG PANDO The Mojo Grill, Belleview

8/7 @ 9pm MANFREDI ROCKS JJ’s Lounge and Package, Sorrento

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LOCAL TALENT

PEO PLE

In touch with art Russell Bellamy creates hands-on sculptures. STORY: THERESA CAMPBELL

eesburg sculptor Russell Bellamy believes many people would be surprised to learn that he was in his third year of college before he discovered art. “I mostly went to college to play soccer,” he says. Russell started out at Georgetown College in Kentucky as an economics major. He switched to history, then communications before graduating with a bachelor’s degree in fine arts. He went on to earn a master’s of fine arts with a concentration in sculpture from the University of Cincinnati in 2005. He now shares his passion for art at Beacon College, where he is an associate professor and chairman of the Art and Studio Arts Department. The nonprofit liberal arts school primarily serves students with learning disabilities, ADHD, dyslexia and other learning differences. Russell is going into his 10th year at the downtown Leesburg school. As an artist, he delights in creating artwork that “incorporates life into the product.” A perfect example is his swinging bird sculptures that people can ride. “I have always preferred making interactive artwork,” Russell says. “This creates an excitement in the

≈ PHOTO: NICOLE HAMEL

viewer that is not generally present in the gallery or museum setting. I never really cared for the stale environment that discouraged touching or (kept people from) truly enjoying the creative experience.” Many of his works are in personal, corporate and government collections throughout the United States and Europe. “I consider sculpture to be object-based philosophy,” Russell says. “What I enjoy most about being a sculptor is the creative problemsolving. How can I get people to think about a certain topic? How can I get people to behave a certain way? Then I have to figure out how to construct things. It’s like being a metaphysical engineer.” Matthew Barney’s Cremaster series and Xu Bing’s “A Book from the Sky” have been inspirational to him. “These pieces epitomize the balance between the aesthetic and the conceptual,” he says. “Each tells a powerful cultural narrative paired with a visual that creates intrigue and encourages critical dialogue.” To his Beacon art students, Russell says his main message is simply: “Be observant and be passionate about everything you do. Observation is the foundation for growth and expression, while passion is contagious.” To see more of Russell’s interactive art, go to russellbellamy.com.

Do you know talented people in the community?

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A float-away getaway Hot-air balloon rides allow passengers to see the Central Florida landscape in a new way. STORY: THERESA CAMPBELL

ob Carlton has flown hot-air balloons for four decades all over the United States and the world, and he still marvels at seeing serene, breathtaking sights with each flight. The bird’s-eye view, he believes, is simply stunning.

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“Early morning is the prettiest time,” says Bob, 67, a pilot for Clermont Balloon Rides for nearly 20 years. “We like to launch early enough to watch right at sunrise. It’s the coolest, calmest and most peaceful time of the day.” Passengers have been excited to see a new perspective of familiar attractions, including the Disney skyline. Many also have been surprised by unexpected sightings of deer and wild animals from 1,200 to 3,000 feet in the air. “And that’s even the neatest part of it for me, to be able to see nature,” Bob says. “You’re floating along and you’ve got

“WE LIKE TO LAUNCH EARLY ENOUGH TO WATCH RIGHT AT SUNRISE. IT’S THE COOLEST, CALMEST AND MOST PEACEFUL TIME OF THE DAY.” —BOB CARLTON

all this wildlife below you that you normally never get a chance to see.” Bill Moran, another pilot with Clermont Balloon Rides, learned to fly with Bob. “Bob is one of the most competent pilots around, and I always felt 100 percent safe flying with him. He’s quite the entertainer,” Bill says. The company has 35 different launch sites in Lake County, and the winds on a given day determine where the takeoffs and landings will be. The company often works in conjunction with five to 20 area balloonists to launch in the same fields around the same time, making the visual experience more enjoyable for passengers and spectators alike. Bob has participated in balloon festivals in The Villages, and he’s eager to soar into the skies again. Because of COVID-19, everything is up in the air (no pun intended) as to when Clermont Balloon Rides can allow passengers to enjoy hot-air balloon rides.

The business falls in the entertainment, nonessential sector, and Bob was hoping to return to flying by Phase II of the state’s reopening. Passengers obviously are in close proximity while riding in the gondola. Couples and small families make up most of the riders. “One of the big concerns is that we cannot give passengers the 6-foot distancing in the basket,” Bob says. Since his first flight in 1976, the Miami native has flown for several companies and amassed thousands of hours of flying all over the United States, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, United Kingdom, France and Switzerland. From 1978 to 1980, Bob flew the Budweiser, Black Angus and Westinghouse balloons for World Balloon Corp. in Albuquerque, New Mexico. He also guided balloons for 12 years for Walt Disney World, flying the Mickey Mouse, Donald Duck, Cinderella’s Castle and Spaceship Earth balloons. “I’ve been blessed,” Bob says. “I’ve been fortunate to be able to travel, and Disney put me in places that I could not fly on my own.” He remembers picturesque flights over Niagara Falls, Mount Rushmore and the mountains in New Mexico, and he aspires to participate in a balloon event at

Oljato-Monument Valley, Arizona, noted as sacred land of Native Americans. “The sunsets are beautiful. The rock formations are just stunning,” he says. “I’d love to go to Monument Valley and fly there. That is one thing on my bucket list as a balloonist.” Bob recalls being mesmerized in the 1970s by the sight of a balloon race from the Bahamas to Fort Lauderdale. He got in his car and chased after the balloons and instantly knew he wanted to buy one. “I couldn’t afford it, but another kid was interested and couldn’t afford it, either, so we bought one together and that’s when I learned to fly,” Bob says. “I had bought a balloon before I had taken my first ride.” And that first flight? “It was just so magical,” he says. “If you stop and look at it, you’re floating around in a bag of hot air … A hot-air balloon is so simple with a basket, and at the time, I was thinking, ‘Oh, how cool.’” He still feels that way. Since his first flight four decades ago, Bob enjoys every opportunity to maneuver hot-air balloons and share the experience with others along for the ride. To learn more, visit clermontballoonrides.com or call 407.761.5964.

Want to see your event in Social Spotlight? Contact us at least three months in advance and provide all the details to theresa@akersmediagroup.com.

THERESA CAMPBELL

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You Can Be A Hero Lake County Students Need Supplies. We’ve Taken Our Community School Supply Drive Virtual!

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VOTE 

IN YOUR 2020 PRIMARY ELECTION

VOTA  EN 2020 ELECCIÓN PRIMARIAS

LAST DATE TO REGISTER FOR PRIMARY:

JULY 20

Last day for new voter registrations and party affiliation changes for this election.

CIERRE DE LAS LISTAS DE ELECTORES ELEGIBLES PARA VOTAR EN LAS PRIMARIAS: 20 DE JULIO

Último día para nuevos registros de votantes y cambios de afiliación a su partido para esta elección.

AUGUST 6-15 EARLY VOTING DATES FOR THE PRIMARY:

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VOTACIÓN TEMPRANA: 6 AL 15 DE AGOSTO, DE 10 A.M. A 6 P.M.

AUGUST 18 PRIMARY ELECTION DAY:

7 A.M. - 7 P.M.

You must vote at your assigned precinct on Election Day.

DÍA DE LAS ELECCIONES: 18 DE AGOSTO, DE 7 A.M. A 7 P.M. Debe votar en su recinto asignado el día de las elecciones.

When voting you are required to present photo & signature ID. If your photo ID does not have your signature, an additional form of ID that has your signature will be required. / Al momento de emitir su voto se requiere que presente una identificación con su foto y firma. Si su tarjeta de identificación con foto no contiene firma, se requerirá una forma de identificación adicional que contenga su firma.

ALAN HAYS

Lake County Supervisor of Elections 352-343-9734 • www.LakeVotes.com

@LakeElections

VOTE BY MAIL VOTAR POR CORREO: Skip the polls and vote in the privacy of your home. / Evite los centros de votación y vote en la privacidad de su hogar. Request a Vote-By-Mail Ballot at www.lakevotes.com/VoterInformation/Vote-By-Mail or call 352-343-9734. The deadline to request a vote-by-mail ballot for the Primary Election is 5 p.m. on August 8th. All voted, vote-bymail ballots must be received in the Elections office before 7 p.m. on Election Day or they will not be counted. Solicite una papeleta para Votar-por-correo a www.lakevotes.com/VoterInformation/Vote-By-Mail o llame al 352-343-9734. La fecha límite para solicitar una boleta de votación por correo para la elección primaria es el 8 de agosto a las 5 p.m. Todas las boletas de votación por correo deben ser recibidas en la Oficina de Elecciones antes de las 7 p.m. el día de las elecciones o no serán contadas.

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Why is Lynn Aoani jumping for joy? You’ve got everything to lose when you learn her reason.

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Packing a healthy punch Professional fighter David Derby gets his kicks helping himself and others stay healthy. STORY: JAMES COMBS

“I never thought I’d be a vegetarian, but I’ve discovered that your body will do amazing things if you give it a chance. Horses, the most built creature from head to toe, are vegetarians.” David also shines outside the ring. In Bushnell, he has served as a personal trainer for middle-age people looking to live healthier lifestyles. One female client lost 80 pounds in a year. “I tell people to knock out sodas and drink more water,” he says. “Sugar puts useless calories on you. Take baby steps. It gets easier and easier. It’s never too late to replace a bad habit with a good habit.” The average age of the clients he trains is 60. “It’s worth it to invest in your body,” he says. “We take time to detail our cars and change oil. We’ll have multiple cars throughout our lifetime, but we only have one body.” David underwent his own transformation at an early age. As a high school sophomore in North Carolina, he was an easy target for bullies. He stood 5 feet 8 inches tall, weighed 86 pounds and was an avid fan of comic books. “I grew up in a poor neighborhood filled with tougher boys,” he says. “I was always getting picked on.”

Do you know someone who is a healthy inspiration? Email your recommendations to james@akersmediagroup.com

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Wanting to hold his own, David took up karate. Then he joined his high school wrestling team. Before long, bullies thought twice about messing with him. “During my last two years of high school, I could get back at the guys who picked on me during my first two years of high school,” he says. One thing is certain: They sure wouldn’t mess with him now.

Photo provided by David Derby

ulging biceps. Six-pack abs. A combination of speed, strength and endurance. For 48-year-old David Derby, those qualities are all wrapped into one lethal package. David, who lives part-time in Lake Panasoffkee and part-time in North Carolina, is a professional mixed martial arts (MMA) fighter and boxer. Known as David “Do or Die” Derby in the fighting world, he has scored more than 44 knockouts in boxing, and just last year, he won his 15th MMA title belt by defeating a 27-year-old Brazilian jiu-jitsu fighter. Sometime in the near future, he’ll compete in a bare-knuckle championship fight in Florida sanctioned by the Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship (BKFC). “Win, lose or draw, I’ll be in the best shape of my life for that fight,” he says. That’s a pretty bold statement for someone rapidly approaching 50. But he recently made a lifestyle change that has “boosted his heart health through the roof.” Since converting to a vegetarian, David notices an increase in energy that helps him push harder during training and workout sessions.

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A NEW LEASE ON LIFE

A doctor’s warning inspires a mother-daughter duo to lose 154 pounds combined and start “I Lost to Gain” life coaching. STORY: THERESA CAMPBELL

≈ PHOTOS: DOUGLAS TYLER

ynn Anoa’i reached a pivotal moment in her life during a routine doctor’s visit in September 2014. She was obese at 198 pounds, her cholesterol numbers were extremely high, she had plantar fasciitis, or foot inflammation, from carrying too much weight, her blood pressure was out of control, she was experiencing mild chest pains, shortness of breath, difficulty sleeping and aches throughout her body. “My doctor was extremely blunt with me when she saw my bloodwork results. She told me, and I quote: ‘If you don’t lose weight, you’re going to die.’ That was the turning point for me, realizing that I’d better get my butt in gear and make some serious changes,” says Lynn, 56, of Minneola. At that moment, Lynn was tired of feeling miserable. “I was humiliated by the fact that I had to cut my toenails with my foot on the toilet because when I bent down, my belly was in the way,” she says. “I felt like a candle in a glass jar, with just a tiny flicker of light left, and all the oxygen was fading away.” Making a lifestyle change, she adds, was the best decision she ever made. Lynn did her own research. She didn’t want to follow a diet, believing they never worked for her before, so she created her own healthy eating plan. Soon, she discovered her aches and pains were going away and she was losing weight. For exercise, Lynn began by walking in her neighborhood, followed by joining a gym. She established a routine of going to the gym after dinner. In addition to working out, she also walked five miles two nights per week. “It took me nine months to go from 198 to 115 (pounds),” Lynn says. “Once I leveled out and started putting on muscle, I am now a proud 130 pounds. Healthy living is a journey, not a destination. It doesn’t stop once you reach a specific weight or shape. It’s a lifelong commitment to yourself for yourself.” During the onset of COVID-19, Lynn worked at home in her job for a Mount Dora insurance company because of the stay-at-home orders. “I was fine until the gyms were closed down. I had a bit of a mini-fit about that because I practically lived in the gym, going five to six nights per week,” Lynn says. She adapted by switching to walking and doing strength training at home. “I’ve been walking almost every single evening after work. My dog loves it,” she says, adding the coronavirus made her realize there are other ways to stay healthy and keep exercising. “You can walk, you can do sit-ups, push-ups, dancing, lifting, even if you don’t have actual weights,” she says. She also touts extra walking as good compensation for moments of overeating. To avoid stress eating, Lynn aimed for healthy, low-calorie snacks. Getting healthier inspired Lynn to look for more ways to live life to the fullest. She created her own business, I Lost to Gain,

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SUCCESS STORY

and she is a certified life coach, now inspiring others through motivational speaking to find their purpose. She’s also vice president of WXW Wrestling, a children’s book author and songwriter, and she started a jewelry company, Out of the Shell, in which a portion of the proceeds of every sale is donated to organizations that help children and adults with special needs. Lately, Lynn has become more active and dedicated to the “I Lost to Gain” lifestyle and is pleased when others realize it represents more than weight loss. “It’s life-inspired motivation,” Lynn says. “I’ve been there, I’ve been an overweight, miserable, unhealthy, sick, depressed person who felt like my light was dying. I can speak from experience, and I’m in my 50s and in the best shape of my life. There’s nothing more rewarding to me than when 20-year-old men from my wrestling company message me to tell me they’re lying on the couch watching TV, and when they see me in the gym, they get up and start moving, because if I can do it, they can do it.” In her “I Lost to Gain” system, Lynn follows a philosophy of three Ds. “You have to be disgusted, determined and dedicated,” she says. “You have to be disgusted with the current state of your health and appearance, so much so that you’re genuinely, truly willing to change your habits and your lifestyle for the long term, not just temporarily. You have to be determined to make a change; nothing should be more important than sticking to your goals. You have to be dedicated, not falling off the wagon, committing fully to your mission and not letting anything distract you from it.” Her overall desire is for other people, especially women over 50, to discover that it’s never too late to change their lives. “So many people believe that after 50, the metabolism dies and there’s no hope of losing weight and restructuring your body and your life, but that’s not true, because I did it,” she says. “I completely reinvented myself after age 50. I’m more fit, happier, more vibrant, more energetic than I’ve ever been in my life. I guess ‘Life begins at 50’ isn’t just a cute catchphrase, it’s the truth in my case.” Lynn also strives to reach families and young children to teach them the importance of developing healthy, active habits, which may help children grow up to be healthy adults. “Cookies are good, but not every day,” she says, adding that the old adage is best: “An apple a day keeps the doctor away.”

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“I’M MORE FIT, HAPPIER, MORE VIBRANT, MORE ENERGETIC THAN I’VE EVER BEEN IN MY LIFE.” — LY N N A N O A’ I

Lynn’s daughter, Vale, 35, is just as passionate about living a healthy lifestyle. “Vale was actually the catalyst for all this to happen,” Lynn says. “She was hosting a television show and saw herself on the new wide-lens, high-definition cameras. She was completely shocked by how huge she looked on camera and left the room crying her eyes out. She hit the first D, disgusted. She said, “I’ll never be this big ever again.” Lynn suggested that the two of them immediately begin eating healthier together. Vale became a stickler about reading ingredients on every item and being aware of serving sizes. She also stopped drinking diet sodas and shed 8 pounds in one week. Vale lost a total of 71 pounds, starting at 189 before getting down to 118. “It was truly the best decision we made to get our lives on track and lose the weight,” says Lynn, adding

that her daughter’s personality was a key to success. “Vale is a very stubborn Taurus woman, which worked very well in this case, because nothing was going to sidetrack her from her goal. She has a militant, strict dedication, and her refusal to go one single calorie over 1,000 per day—even going so far as cutting a grape in half—really inspired me to stick with it when I’d get weak and start whining because I hadn’t lost a pound yet,” Lynn says. “What I didn’t realize is that while she was shedding pounds quickly, I was shedding inches quickly. It took over a month for the scale to budge for me. By then, none of my old clothes fit.” Lynn says her daughter, who lives with her in Minneola, also was the strength and driving force who started I Lost to Gain.

“She was my drill sergeant, in a way,” Lynn says. “She has helped me every step of the way to make my own dreams come true.” Vale is an artist, author of nine books, dancer, actress and singer. The motherdaughter duo penned their own song, “I Lost to Gain,” with Vale singing the vocals. The recording was produced by Jay Simpson Music Studio in Davenport and is available on iTunes, Apple Music, Spotify and other streaming and music sites. “Mom had written the bare bones of the lyrics and was reading them aloud to me,” Vale recalls. “She asked if I could tweak them and structure them into a more lyrical song form and then asked if I would sing it.” After collaborating with Jay at the music studio to find the rhythm, Vale went into the recording booth. “The song came to be,” Vale says. “Mom was very emotional and overjoyed that yet another one of her dreams had come true.” Teamwork and motivating each other has worked for the women, too. “Having an accountability partner and workout partner makes a huge difference in your success,” Lynn says. “However, everyone doesn’t have that person to be on board with them. That’s why I’m here, to be that accountability partner, motivator and inspiration to others on their path to a healthier life.” Looking back, Lynn is grateful for her doctor’s blunt warning nearly six years ago and appreciative of her daughter and others who have been her personal inspirations. “I want to thank all the people who believed in and supported me on my journey to a healthy lifestyle,” Lynn says. “The greatest gift in life is your health.”

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IN THE KITCHEN

RECIPE

A DRIZZLE CAN’T HURT Fitness coaches find sideline success making ‘bad-for-you cookies.’ STORY: THERESA CAMPBELL

≈ PHOTOS: ANTHONY RAO

est friends, fitness coaches and competitors Ashley Bowden and Morgan Williams were in the kitchen in July 2019 with a desire to create healthy cookies. Their plan didn’t work. “They were disgusting,” Ashley says. Even her husband, Nick, chimed in at the time saying, “Y’all should never make cookies again.” However, Ashley, 30, of Mount Dora, and Morgan, 29, of Tampa, weren’t going to let a cookie flop stop them. Savoring cookies and Tito’s vodka “has always been our thing,” says Ashley, referring to the “cheat meals” they would enjoy after fitness competitions. They just wanted to try their hand at making their own cookies. “Since our attempt to make healthy cookies was an epic fail, we decided right away that we were going to make ‘bad-for-you cookies,’’’ Ashley says.

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The pair went to work experimenting with their own recipes for cookies embedded with candies, cookie crumbles and topped with a sweet drizzle of icing for a crowning touch. Ashley, a full-time assistant physical therapist, started making cookies for her family, her patients and Morgan’s competitions. Then the two began meeting at Morgan’s house every weekend to perfect the recipes and come up with more flavors. From their own love for cookies, they felt it was a great business opportunity. Ashley had always wanted to open a bakery, and Morgan’s research found that there weren’t many cookie companies in Florida. “One day, Morgan decided to put icing on one of the cookies,” Ashley says. “We started drizzling it and said, ‘Hey, we should do this on every cookie.’ … We went to the gym later that day and were on the treadmill trying to come up with a business name and we didn’t want it to be just cookies. Morgan yelled out ‘Drizzle’ because every cookie would have drizzle on it, and we instantly fell in love with it.” Drizzle Cookie Co. was formed in October 2019 as a strictly online company that ships cookies all over the

L-R: Ashley and Morgan

IN THE KITCHEN

United States. The cookie menu includes the Basic, the PB, the Animal, the Muddie, the Velvet and the Oat. Their most requested cookies are the Velvet, the PB and the Basic. “The funny part is, when we launched, we were both on a competition prep and we couldn’t even try our own cookies. We had to rely on taste-testers,” Ashley says. “This allowed us to get an honest review of our cookies before we sold them.” The cookie business is their side gig—for now. Ashley also is a part-time fitness coach, while Morgan is a full-time fitness coach and previously worked as a corporate recruiter. “As fitness coaches and competitors, we live a healthy lifestyle,” Ashley says. “Throughout the year, we are doing on-and-off competition prep, and that allows us to have room for cookies as a treat every now and then.” Her favorite cookie is the Velvet. Morgan craves the Doodle. “I can never stop eating that thing, or the Bark,” Morgan says. “Ashley sabotaged me with that cookie.” The Doodle and the Bark are premium cookies and not always on the menu. “What we hear most about our cookies is that people can’t stop eating them. We actually get a lot of repeat customers,” Ashley says. “Due to the industry, with cookies available everywhere, we really thought we would struggle with this, and the funny part is, some of our repeat customers

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are our own (fitness) clients. We have to tell them they can only have them for a ‘cheat meal.’” Morgan and Ashley were pleased to receive strong support for their business from family and friends. “They loved it and always want us to make them free cookies,” says Ashley, adding that one of her favorite parts of the business is creating new cookies of the month and hearing how much people love them. During some weeks, the women are busy baking cookies on a daily basis. “We bake either the day of or the next day once the order comes in,” Ashley says. Cookies are shipped one to two days after an order is placed. Some orders are baked in their homes and they also

Cookie chat Favorite cookie ingredient? Ashley: “Oreos! Which is funny because I never liked Oreos and thought it was weird when Morgan wanted to put them in the Velvet cookie, and now I’m obsessed.” Morgan: “Reese’s.” The candies are in the PB cookies.

Do you dream of cookies? Ashley: “Absolutely!”

utilize a commercial kitchen in Tampa for large orders, though the $100 an hour fee is costly. “We are currently looking for a local kitchen in Lake County as we expand,” Ashley says. The most cookies in a single order was last Christmas when a medical sales representative requested 120 cookies for his clients as gifts, which were shipped all over the country. “When we first launched, we were shooting for 50 orders and we were bummed when we got 30 orders,” Ashley recalls. “It took us 13 hours and we were ready to kill each other by the end. God knew 50 was too much.” The partners have found that running an online company requires consistency with advertising, social media postings and word of mouth. They want to grow their business beyond the internet and expand their clientele beyond just people at competitions, which was their original idea. “We want to eventually get a food truck or trailer and start a ‘Cookie Tour’ going to different cities on the weekends to sell our cookies,” Ashley says. They also are eager to do more custom cookie orders for baby showers, weddings, office parties, birthday parties and other events. Ashley believes Drizzle cookies can be enjoyed anytime for any occasion. Morgan heartily agrees and admits her love for the cookies: “That’s the only thing I eat.”

Morgan and Ashley’s recipes “Since we weren’t able to master making healthy cookies, we will share a couple of our favorite healthy recipes to help your sweet tooth,” Ashley says of two lower-calorie dessert recipes.

C H O C O L AT E L A S AG N A INGREDIENTS

DIRECTIONS

Graham cracker crust

box sugar-free cheesecake pudding

box sugar-free chocolate pudding

tub fat-free Cool Whip

Put down graham crackers first, then layer with cheesecake pudding, then chocolate, then Cool Whip. Refrigerate overnight.

PROTEI N M UG CA K E Can be made in a coffee cup or small bowl INGREDIENTS

1 scoop

protein powder (our favorite is Ghost Chips Ahoy)

/ tsp.

baking powder

1 tbsp.

cocoa powder

1 tbsp.

powdered peanut butter

1 tbsp.

coconut

/ cup

water

DIRECTIONS

Mix all ingredients and microwave for 35-40 seconds.

ORDER ONLINE

Drizzle Cookie Co. drizzlecookies.com

Hey, readers! Do you have favorite recipes or know a chef we should profile? Comment on this article or send story ideas to theresa@akersmediagroup.com.

THERESA CAMPBELL

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FORK ON THE ROAD

REVIEWS

Relishing a tradition The (hot) dog days of summer are alive and well at Duke’s Dogs in Mount Dora. STORY: JAMES COMBS

aul Ottum and his wife, Sondra, love hot dogs. It’s not just the taste. For them, the food is strongly tied to happy memories like birthday parties and family meals. In their home state of Pennsylvania, hot dog shops were plentiful. Shortly after the couple moved to Florida two years ago, they walked the streets of downtown Mount Dora. When Paul got a sudden craving for a hot dog, he

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was disappointed to discover there were no hot dog shops in town. “Back home, we were used to having several hot dog shops to choose from,” Sondra says. “We researched and found that Tampa and Orlando were the closest places that had hot dog shops.” So, the couple propelled their love of hot dogs into a full-on obsession. Despite having no prior restaurant experience, Paul, a lineman, and Sondra, a nurse, purchased a vacant building and spent six months renovating it. In December 2019, they opened Duke’s Dogs, tucked away in a downtown Mount Dora alleyway.

They quickly realized they weren’t the only ones who had a natural craving for hot dogs. “The first day we opened, we sold out in about three hours,” says Amber Gomez, assistant manager. “The same thing happened on Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve. Even today, I have lines out the door on weekends.” Those long lines are for good reason. Cities across the United States claim ownership of special hot dog styles, and the Ottums have added several of those popular styles to their menu. Every dog has its day, and at Duke’s, the famous

Duke

coney dog and Chicago dog are still having theirs. “Those two are our best sellers,” Amber says. Duke’s coney dog is a classic combination of chili sauce with finely minced ground beef, shredded cheese, sweet-tasting onions and yellow mustard on top of a hot dog with char-grilled flavor. Detroit and New York can argue over which city has the best coney dog, but Mount Dora residents have a mouthful to say about their coney dog, too. With all due respect to Detroit and New York, Duke’s offers a hot dog with a bit more Southern flare. The Hogtied comes with a heaping helping of bacon crumbles, barbecue sauce, shredded cheese and crunchy onions. The barbecue sauce gives a spicy zing that hits the back of the throat immediately, and the moist, bite-size bacon crumbles add a light smoky flavor. It’s advisable to ask for extra napkins and a fork to scoop up the toppings that inevitably fall into the hot dog basket. Other favorites are the Hawk Dog with homemade chili, cheese sauce and ketchup; the Loaded Slaw Dog with homemade coleslaw, shredded cheese and crunchy onions; and the Hollywood with relish, onions, bacon, diced tomatoes, sauerkraut and mustard. The BLT—yes, bacon, lettuce and tomato—is a hot dog version of the popular sandwich. The starting price for most hot dog styles is $4.95. Diners have the option of

ordering a 100 percent beef dog, a turkey dog or a vegan dog. They also can order custom-made hot dogs with as few or as many toppings and sauces as they prefer. Toppings such as sport peppers, diced onions, jalapeños, diced tomatoes and crunchy onions can be added for 25 cents each. Premium toppings, including housemade chili, sauerkraut and bacon, can be added for $1 each. “We love hot dogs, and that’s why we go above and beyond to make them as delicious as possible for our customers,” Sondra says. “It’s all about quality. We use 100 percent beef and hand-cut all our tomatoes, lettuce and onions. Our chili and coleslaw are both made in-house. Our fries are freshly cut each day and never frozen.” The fries are the other cornerstone item of the menu. They’re fluffy inside and crispy outside, similar to what you would expect at a county fair. High-top tables placed outside the restaurant allow customers to dine al fresco in the alleyway, while others prefer the table seating and bar-style seating offered inside. Many customers get their orders to go, which Sondra says is advantageous for both tourists and downtown employees who want their food served quickly. “If someone has to return to work in 15 minutes or a tourist is about to go on a boat tour in 10 minutes, they’ll have time to grab a quick meal,” Sondra says.

“More importantly, they won’t have to spend a ton of money. We keep our prices down so customers can get a meal quick and cheap.” Paul and Sondra continue their primary careers but make frequent visits to Duke’s Dogs to ensure everything is operating efficiently. They have no reason to worry. Amber, the assistant manager, is a smooth multi-tasker who can cook, take orders, serve meals, clean tables and answer phones simultaneously. The restaurant’s namesake, Duke, also makes occasional appearances. Duke is a cuddly and soft goldendoodle whose favorite snack is hardly surprising. “Duke has figured out how to open our front door and let himself out,” Sondra says. “The only way you can get him to come back in is to lure him with a hot dog.”

IF YOU GO

Duke’s Dogs 237 W. 4th Ave., Suite 4, Mount Dora 352.729.6549 dukesdogsmtdora.com Hours: 11am-9pm daily

Let’s do lunch Tell us about a great restaurant by emailing james@akersmediagroup.com.

JAMES COMBS

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SPIRITS

REVIEWS

Sweet Spot Fruity flights and Milkshake IPAs make Suncreek Brewery a nice night out for beer and dessert-lovers alike. STORY: VICTORIA SCHLABIG

ill Downs first started buying simple craft beer kits in college, and about five years later began using all types of grains. Grains used for making beer include barley, wheat, corn, rye, rice and oats. Giving it a rest for a while, Bill later returned to brewing and along with his wife, Sheila, began planning to open a brewery.

Suncreek Brewery’s crafts beers

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“I bought a professional small batch system, and just started developing recipes that we’re using today,” Bill says. The couple opened Suncreek Brewery to become a part of Clermont’s “Master Plan” in September 2018, and today each batch at Suncreek makes around 7 to 15 barrels of beer. Along with his brewer, Christian Frances, Bill says, “We just kinda think of a style we want to make, do some research on it, and just formulate a recipe. The recipes are mostly mine right now, but he’s developing some himself.” Bill’s favorites are the Clermont Champions Lager and the Sun Squishy IPA. “The Clermont Champions Lager is a light lager around the 4.4-4.5 percent

Alcohol By Volume (ABV), which means it has less alcohol than say an IPA, so you can drink more of them without getting too inebriated. The Sun Squishy IPA is a very citrus-forward IPA with a hint of strawberry in it that has 7 percent ABV, almost twice as much as the lager,” Bill says. The Clermont Champions was a lighter beer and can definitely be compared more closely to a domestic, for those drinkers with a shy palate. Style team member James Combs adds, “Rather than being adventurous, many beer drinkers faithfully stick with the triedand-true beer that they love and know. With the Clermont Champions Lager, beer drinkers don’t have to deviate very far from their favorites. This beer, which contains

W H AT’ S A MILKSHAKE I PA? The use of lactose, which is unfermentable milk sugar, is what creates the smooth texture of the Milkshake IPAs and puts them in a new category of beer, specifically a sub-category of the hazy IPA. Adding fruit adds to the silkiness of the beer and also creates a sweetness. Source: hopculture.com

Owner, Bill Downs

less than 100 calories, comes with that familiar light color, like smell and light taste many are accustomed to. In other words, it’s perfect for anyone new to the craft beer scene.” My drinking companions and I shared two flights, which included the Moonlight Chocolate Milk Stout. “It tastes like Guiness with a sprinkle of cocoa powder,” one says. The chocolate flavor cuts the bitterness that is present in some stouts. The Pineapple Sun Gods is also a favorite among non-beer drinkers. I can imagine drinking this next to the pool or on the beach;

it’s perfect for a mid-day summer beverage. The Stella Fuzz Strawberry, a Milkshake IPA, is perfect for those who enjoy sweeter, fruitier drinks, but the strawberry doesn’t overpower the beverage. James comments, “Who knew that pairing strawberries with lactose could make a creamy and tasty ‘milkshake’ brew? Guys, don’t let anyone question your manhood if you order the Stellar Fuzz IPA Milkshake. The traditional beer flavor overpowers the light taste of strawberries, so nobody is going to mistake this for a fruity wine cooler. Sip and enjoy. Your manliness will stay intact.” “We also sell hard seltzers and we make some mixed drinks with a sake base. There’s no local cideries that we can really buy from, but we try to stick with Floridasourced ciders when we can,” Bill says. “Saki is considered by the federal government as beer and considered by the state as a wine. We’re not licensed for spirits here so it’s the only thing we can basically do that’s permitted with our license.” Yearly, the brewery hosts Oktoberfest and St. Patty’s Day events, and the company currently is planning

“Country-fest” for later this year. At Country-fest, Bill hopes to feature regional acts and up-and-coming country stars. The festival is still tentative due to COVID-19. Suncreek also participates in beer fests all around Central Florida. Suncreek Brewery also shares its building in an open layout setting with Mac’d Out Clermont, Michael’s Ali Coal Fired Pizza and Savoree. Friends and I tried chicken nachos from Savoree, stacked high with shredded chicken, sour cream, cheese, pico de gallo and jalapenos, and Michael’s take on a margherita pizza, with olive oil, marinated baby heirloom tomatoes and fresh mozzarella cheese. If you’re playing designated driver for the day, you can take home crowlers of any Suncreek Brewery beer to enjoy later on. Enjoy happy hour from 3-6pm Monday through Thursday on the spacious outdoor patio. IF YOU GO

SUNCREEK BREWERY 790 W. Minneola Ave., Clermont 407.850.8810 suncreekbrewery.com

Do you know a place where we can drink? Comment on this article or send story ideas to victoria@akersmediagroup.com.

VICTORIA SCHLABIG

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DINING GUIDE

dine

OUT From classic diners and lakeside restaurants to fine dining and everything in-between, Lake County’s culinary scene is booming. Your favorite meal is sure to be served with a side of hospitality. Denotes locations where you can find Lake & Sumter Style A S TAT U L A

CLERMONT

Race Car Diner 25641 Monroe St. 352.253.6940

Akina Sushi Bar & Asian Fusion Bistro 4300 S. U.S. Hwy. 27 352.243.8988

ASTOR Blackwater Inn 55716 Front St. 352.759.3802 Castaways Restaurant 23525 US SR 40 352.759.2213 Sparky’s Place Restaurant 24646 SR 40 352.759.3551 Williams Landing 55716 Front St. 352.759.2802 BUSHNELL Odd Cuples Café 117 W Belt Ave 352.568.0408 Hong Kong Restaurant 2229 W. CR 48 352.568.8888 Howie’s Family Restaurant 840 N. Main St. 352.793.8582 TJ’s Family Restaurant 412 W. Belt Ave 352.793.8877

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H OW EY- I N THE -HILLS

The Crazy Gator 402 N. Bay St. 352.589.5885 The Oyster Troff 936 N. Bay St. 352.357.9939 Tillie’s Tavern & Grill 31 E. Magnolia Ave. 352.602.7929 Tony’s Pizza & Subs 2760 E. Orange Ave. 352.589.9001 F RU I T L A N D PA R K Fruitland Park Café 3180 US Hwy. 441/27 352.435.4575

Uncle Kenny’s BBQ 157 Hwy. 27 352.394.1225

Legends Cafe 2468 U.S. Hwy. 441/27 352.728.0006

Clermont Brewing Co. 750 W Desoto 321.430.2337

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

G’s NY Pizza 12346 Roper Blvd. 352.243.8900

Thai Sushi America 925 N. Bay St. 352.357.1949

Guru Restaurant 2400 S. Hwy. 27 352.241.9884

Lilly’s on the Lake 846 W. Osceola St. 352.708.6565

Friar Tuck 16640 Cagan Crossings Blvd. 352.404.6818

Red Wing Restaurant 12500 S. SR 33 352.429.2997

Troy’s Cuban Deli 1200 Oakley Seaver Dr. 352.241.4295

Cheeser’s Palace Café 707 W. Montrose St. 352.404.9431

El Cerro Restaurant 811 W. Hwy. 50 352.241.9884

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

Green Garden 1790 E. Hwy. 50 352.243.2077

Legends Grille & Tavern 1700 Legendary Blvd. 352.243.1118

Devenney’s Irish Pub 16909 High Grove Blvd. 352.432.3925

Lil Anthony’s Pizza 7965 SR 50 352.429.7499

ibar-be-que Express 3170 Hwy. 27 352.315.4227

Calabria Ristorante 13900 CR 455 407.656.5144

Corelli’s Italian Restaurant 1042 E. Hwy. 50 352.989.5924

Stavro’s & Sons of Eustis 2100 W. CR 44 352.589.9100

Root and Branch Bistro and Bar 1200 Seaver Dr. 352.708.4529 Sanctuary Ridge Bar & Grille 2601 Diamond Club Road 352.243.0411 Sarah’s Greek Cuisine & More 16640 Cagan Crossings Blvd., Ste. 305 352.404.8031 The Crooked Spoon Gastropub 200 Citrus Tower Blvd. 352.404.7808

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EUSTIS Jeannie’s Place 209 E. Gottsche Ave. 352.359.0027 Kiku Japanese Steakhouse & Sushi Bar 15211 U.S. Hwy. 441 352.483.8288 King’s Taste Bar-B-Que 503 Palmetto St. 352.589.0404 LaCabana Mexican Bar and Grill 2060 S. Bay St. 352.357.4600 Nalan Sultan Mediterranean Grill 1 N. Eustis St. 352.357.4444 NightOwl Caribbean Restaurant 929 S. Bay St. 352.589.0256

NY Deli N Diner 3325 U.S. Hwy. 441 352.365.0051 Rae Rae’s Restaurant 2468 U.S. Hwy. 441 352.323.1595 Stavro’s 3223 U.S. Hwy. 441 352.315.0028 The Rose Plantation 200 Rose Ave., Fruitland Park 352.805.4340

JB Boondocks Bar & Grill 704 S. Lakeshore Blvd. 352.324.3600 La Hacienda Restaurant 10400 CR 48 352.324.3910 Nicker’s Clubhouse Restaurant 10400 CR 48 352.324.2718 L A DY L A K E Bamboo Bistro 700 Hwy. 441 352.750.9998 El Ranchito 1 Lagrande Blvd. 352.750.3335 Harbor Hills Country Club 6538 Lake Griffin Rd. 352.753.7000 Mom & Dad’s Italian Restaurant 504 S. U.S. Hwy. 441/27 352.753.2722 OakWood Smokehouse & Grill 860 S. Hwy 27/441 352.751.5640 Takis Greek and Italian Restaurant 13761 U.S. Hwy. 441 N. 352.430.3630 LEESBURG Blooms 610 W. Main St. 352.787.1004

Cousin Vinnie’s Family Sports Restaurant 10700 U.S. Hwy. 441 352.253.2442 Frank’s Place 201 N. 1st St. 352.323.1989 Gator Bay Bar & Grill 10320 CR 44 352.365.2177 God Café 300 W. Main St. 352.801.7447 Great Chicago Fire Brewery & Tap Room 311 W. Magnolia St. 352.474.2739 HP Grill 1403 S. 14th St. 352.314.0006 Ichiban Buffet 10301 Hwy. 441 352.728.6669 Kountry Kitchen 1008 W. Dixie Ave. 352.323.0852 La Palma Mexican Grill 1690 Citrus Blvd. 352.323.1444 Lilly’s Super Subs 2339 CR 473 352.343.4663 Magnolia’s Oyster Bar 201 W. Magnolia St. 352.323.0093 Main Street Cantina 205 W. Main St. 352.435.7279 Mamma’s Pizzeria 27405 US Highway 27 352.728.2020 Mrs. T’s Place, Southern Restaurant 305 Pine St. 352.431.3217 Naples Italian Restaurant 1107 W. North Blvd. 352.323.1616

G R OV E L A N D

Brick & Barrel 209 W. Main St. 352.431.3069

Coyote Rojo 214 W. Broad St. 352.557.8999

Cafe Ola 400 N. 14th St. 352.365.0089

Oakwood Smokehouse & Grill 2775 U.S. 27 352.435.4633

Ikaho Sushi Japanese Restaurant 7965 SR 50, #900 352.557.8988

Cedar River Seafood 8609 S. U.S. Hwy. 441 352.728.3377

Osaka Japanese Steak House 1401 Citrus Blvd. 352.728.0788

Chesapeake Bay Grill 4467 Arlington Ridge Blvd. 352.315.0066

Pine Street Bar-B-Que 408 Pine St. 352.728.1293

James Barbeque 262 W. Orange St. 352.557.4050

Plantation Oaks Restaurant 4720 Plantation Blvd. 352.530.2680 Ramshackle Café 1317 N. 14th St. 352.365.6565 Rodello’s Italian Restaurant 26736 US Hwy. 27 352.319.8093 San Jose’s Original Mexican Restaurant 1337 S. 14th St. 352.805.4174 Sip Restaurant and Wine Bar 707 W. Main St. 352.435.7840 Stokes Seafood Market and More 719 W. Main St. 352.787.3474 Sully’s Smokehouse 10820 CR 44 352.483.7427 Takis Pizza Restaurant 1205 N. 14th St. 352.787.2344 Pint Sized Pub 110 S. 5th St. 352.460.0383 The Florida Porch Café 706 W. Main St. 352.365.1717 The Kitchen Cafe & Cooking School 712 W. Main St. 352.901.6537 The Mojo Grill & Catering Co. 9925 US-441 352.787.0494 The Old Time Diner 1350 W. North Blvd. 352.805.4250 Turners 114 S. 5th St. 352.530.2274

MINNEOLA Jack Benny’s Barbeque 100 S. U.S. Hwy. 27 352.394.2673 Lil Anthony’s Pizza 205 N. U.S. Hwy. 27 352.394.1516 Minneola Grill 117 W. Washington St. 352.394.2555 Napoli’s Pizzeria 556 Hwy. 27 352.243.7500 The Surf Bar and Grill 650 N. Hwy. 27 202.527.0100 Tiki Bar & Grill 508 S. Main Ave. 352.394.2232

Belle Glade Country Club 446 Moyer Loop 352.205.8208

Margarita Republic 1102 Main St. 352.753.4600

Magical Meat Boutique 322 N. Alexander St. 352.729.6911

Fish Camp Lake Eustis 901 Lake Shore Blvd. 352.742.4400

BlueFin Grill & Bar 2738 Brownwood Blvd. 352.571.5344

Mount Dora Pizza & Subs 2718 W. Old U.S. Hwy. 441 352.383.5303

Hurricane Dockside Grill 3351 W. Burleigh Blvd. 352.508.5137

Cane Garden Country Club 1726 Bailey Trail 352.750.0627

Mezza Luna Italian Restaurant and Bar 320 Colony Blvd. 352.753.3824

Kalua Hale Beach Bar 181 S. Joanna Ave. 352.609.5910

Chengs Chinese and Sushi Restaurant 4050 Wedgewood Ln. 352.391.9678

Orange Blossom Country Club 1542 Water Tower Circle 352.751.4501

China Gourmet III 343 Colony Blvd 352.750.4965

Palmer Legends Country Club 1635 Palmer Way 352.750.4499

Olive Branch MediterraneanItalian Grille 115 W. 3rd St. 352.729.6734 One Flight Up 440 N. Donnelly St., Ste. 100 352.758.9818

MOUNT DORA 1921 Mount Dora 142 E. Fourth Ave. 352.385.1921

PizzAmore’ 722 E. 5th Ave. 352.383.0092

Anthony’s Pizza 17195 U.S. Hwy. 441 352.357.6668

Shiva Indian Restaurant 140A W. 5th Ave. 352.735.4555

Barnwood Country Kitchen & Smokehouse 3725 W. Old US Hwy 441 352.630.4903 Beauclaire Restaurant at Lakeside Inn 100 N. Alexander St. 352.383.4101

Sidelines Sport Eatery 315 N. Highland St. 352.735.7433 Sugarboo’s Bar-B-Que 1305 N. Grandview St. 352.735.7675

Bocce Pizzeria 925 E. First Ave. 352.385.0067

The Bavarian Haus 433 N. Alexander St. 352.735.8387

Café Gianni 425 N. Alexander St. 352.735.3327

The Country Club 1900 Country Club Blvd. 352.735.2263

Cody’s on 4th Cafe 111 E. 4th Ave. 352.735.8426

The Goblin Market 331-B Donnely St. 352.735.0059

Copacabana Cuban Cafe 320 Dora Drawdy Way 352.385.9000

Whale’s Tale Fish House 2720 W. Old U.S. Hwy 441 352.385.1500

Frog & Monkey English Pub 411 N. Donnelly St. 352. 383.1936

MASCOTTE

Highland Street Café 185 S. Highland St. 352.383.1446

Rainbow Restaurant 704 E. Myers Blvd. 352.429.2093

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

Pisces Rising 239 W. 4th Ave. 352.385.2669

Wolfy’s 918 N. 14th St. 352.787.6777

Napoli’s Pizzeria 556 S. U.S. Hwy. 27 352.243.7500

Let’s Do a Maine Lobster Roll 426 N. Donnelly St. 352.735.3702

Jeremiah’s 500 N. Highland St. 352.383.7444 J.K. Thai & Sushi 116 E. 5th Ave. 352.385.5470

Lake Dora Sushi & Sake 227 E. Main St. 352.343.6313

NYPD Pizzeria 4046 Wedgwood Ln 352.750.1994

Mary’s Kountry Kitchen 15945 CR 448 352.343.6823

Chop House at Lake Sumter 1045 Old Camp Rd. 352.750.6000

O’Keefe’s Irish Pub and Restaurant 115 S Rockingham Ave. 352.343.2157

Evans Prairie Country Club 1825 Evans Prairie Trail 352.750.2225

Ricciardi’s Italian Table 3660 Kiessel Rd. 352.391.9939

Fiesta Grande Mexican Grill 297 Colony Blvd 352.751.0400

Sakura 265 Colony Blvd 352.205.7393

Palm Gardens Restaurant 1661 Palm Garden St. 352.431.3217 Puddle Jumpers 111 W Ruby St. 352.508.5862 Ruby Street Grille 221 E. Ruby St. 352.742.7829 Sunrise Grill 462 E. Burleigh Blvd. 352.343.7744 The Hideaway 11912 Lane Park Rd. 352.343.3585 Tiki West Raw Bar and Grill 118 W Ruby St, Tavares 352.508.5783 THE V I L L AG E S Amerikano’s Grill 998 Del Mar Dr. 352.633.8027

Giovanni’s 3439 Wedgewood Lane 352.751.6674 Glenview County Club 3914 Glenview Rd. 352.753.0077 Habaneros Mexican Grill 3551 Wedgewood Ln. 352.633.2080 Hemingway’s at Havana Country Club 2484 Odell Circle 352.430.3200 Legacy Restaurant Nancy Lopez Country Club 17135 Buena Vista Blvd. 352.753.1475

RedSauce 1000 Canal St. 352.750.2930

The Lighthouse Point Bar and Grille 925 Lakeshore Dr. 352.753.7800 Tierra Del Sol Country Club 806 San Marino Dr. 352.753.8005

Greg’s Haystax 526 Umatilla Blvd. 352.669.1555 Old Crow Real Pit Bar-B-Q 41100 SR 19 352.669.3922 Shang Hai Restaurant 531 N. Central Ave. 352.669.2004 The Mason Jar 37534 State Rd. 19 352.589.2535 W I L DWO O D China Jade 420 W. CR 44 352.330.5913 Continental Country Club 50 Continental Blvd. 352.748.3293 Cotillion Southern Café 101 N. Main St. 352.748.1223 Los Magueyes Mexican Restaurant 346 Shopping Center Dr. 352.461.0577 O’Shucks! Oyster Bar and Grill 1016 S Main St. 352.399.2200 Traditions Café 3107 Hwy. 44 352.748.1077

VKI Japanese Steakhouse and Sushi Bar 1004 Old Mill Run 352.259.9887

Woody’s Bar-B-Q 1220 S. Main St. 352.748.1109

U M AT I L L A

Yalaha Bakery 8210 CR 48 352.324.3366

Combat Café 831 S Central Ave. 352.483.0250

YA L A H A

Fish & Chix 100 N. Central Ave. 352.669.7145 Gators 9 N. Central Ave. 352.669.6969

SORRENTO Del Franco Pizza Place 31436 CR 437 352.383.8882 Lisa’s Kountry Cafe 23911 CR 46 352.735.3380 TAVA R E S Angelo’s Italian Restaurant 2270 Vindale Rd. 352.343.2757

GOOD GRUB

THIS MONTH'S EDITOR'S PICK

Wolfy’s After starting out your visit at Wolfy’s with an appetizer of corn fritters, fried okra, soup or chili, try a chicken or roast beef club, corn beef Rueben, or a baron beef or vegetable wrap, and many other hand-held items, like the Italian burger or BBQ cheddar burger. For something lighter, try Wolfy’s California chicken tossed salad. Wolfy’s feature item is a one-fourth roast chicken with a potato and a vegetable. Other dinner plates, like the full or half European-style roast chicken, country fried steak or BBQ chicken, also comes with garlic toast, a biscuit or a corn muffin. For seafood lovers, Wolfy’s offers Alaskan pollock, coconut or grilled shrimp, and a plate of fish and clams.

918 N. 14th St., Leesburg / 352.787.6777

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DINING GUIDE

Bella Nonna Pizzeria 352.508.9370 | 280 SILVERADO ST., TAVARES BELLANONNATAVARES.COM

Monday-Thursday 11am-8pm Friday-Saturday 11am-9pm

There’s a reason Bella Nonna Pizzeria and More has developed a loyal following during the coronavirus pandemic. This family-owned and operated restaurant offers a variety of scratch-made, New York-style, brick oven pizzas to include Amore Pepperoni, Bianco, and BBQ Chicken. In addition, they offer Italian classics such as lasagna, eggplant parmesan, calzones and the best garlic knots around. While owned by Rob and Susan Christian, the restaurant is operated primarily by family members Juan Fernandez and Casey Christian. They pride themselves in serving delicious food and providing high-quality service. The restaurant also offers takeout, delivery and online ordering.

BTW – Burgers, Tacos, Waffles 352.508.9287 | 115 E. MAIN ST., TAVARES FACEBOOK.COM AND BTWTAVARES.COM/BRUTAPHOUSE.COM Burgers for breakfast? You’ll want to try that at BTW, an out-of-the-box restaurant that uses uncommon combinations of toppings and sauces to create unique, fresh-made burgers, tacos and waffles. The Breakfast in Bed Burger is a half-pound burger topped with bacon, egg, cheese and tater tots on a waffle bun. The Trailer Park Taco is reminiscent of Lake County’s Southern flavors with fried chicken, sweet barbecue sauce and ranch dressing. Winner Winner pairs fried chicken breast with buttermilk waffles. For dessert, My Secret Lover is a red velvet waffle topped with Nutella sauce, white chocolate chips, berries, cream cheese, whipped cream and powdered sugar. “We’re not necessarily the best place for a diet, but our flavors are going to blow your mind,” general manager Jenny Deschenes says. The rustic, artsy restaurant has indoor and outdoor seating and is pet-friendly.

Claire’s Creperie 850.776.9820 | 100 E. 4TH AVE., MOUNT DORA FACEBOOK.COM/CLAIRESCREPERIE Claire’s Creperie in Mount Dora does “all things crepes,” offering a large selection of both sweet and savory crepes, weekly specials featuring locally sourced ingredients, as well as keto and gluten-free options. Owner Claire Ernst grew up making crepes with her dad, and her signature crepe is the Something Good, filled with cheesecake cream and fresh strawberries, and topped with powdered sugar and strawberry sauce. You also can try the Monte Cristo, a savory crepe with turkey, ham and Muenster cheese topped with powdered sugar and raspberry glaze. The creperie also has specials, such as the Croatian and the Macedonian, inspired by international students who have been hosted by Claire and her husband.

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Tuesday-Thursday 11am-10pm Friday 11am-11pm Saturday 12pm-11pm Sunday 12pm-10pm

Thursday 10am-6pm Friday & Saturday 10am-8pm

Sunday-Thursday 11am-9pm Friday-Saturday 11am-10:30pm

Eaton’s Beach Florisiana Cuisine Restaurant 352.259.2444 OR 352.805.8591 | EATONSBEACH.COM 15790 SE 134TH AVE., WEIRSDALE Mix a little bit of Florida with a little bit of Louisiana and you get a gumbo of great food choices at Eaton’s Beach. And what better place to enjoy a meal than on the waterfront. Signature dishes include shrimp and grits, shrimp Creole, Cajun sweet fried chicken and “3C’s Little Bs’ Mac & Cheese. Florisiana favorites include bronzed red fish, Charleston platters of scallops or shrimp, and the Washday Special, grilled Louisiana Andouille sausage or bronzed chicken over Balaya rice and red beans with ham. Grab a sandwich or a steak burger made from black Angus. Even the appetizers will give you that Florisiana flavor: Ybor City gumbo, smoked fish dip or peel ’n’ eat shrimp. Save room for desserts such as orange cake, pecan pie or Reese’s peanut butter pie. Eaton’s Beach offers Grubhub delivery, beach rentals, live entertainment, a snack bar, catering and availability for private parties. Hit the beach!

Monday-Friday 10:30am-3pm

Ellen’s Café on 3rd 110 S. 3RD ST., LEESBURG | 352.630.1313 Ellen Bruce wanted to run her own restaurant since she was 13. Her lifelong dream came true in September 2019 when she opened Ellen’s Café on 3rd. Customers come from 30 miles away to try her madefrom-scratch food, including chicken salad, barbecue pulled pork and cranberry congealed salad. The restaurant has a private room with a working fireplace that can accommodate 40 guests for business meetings and private events. Parties can order off Ellen’s menu and use the room for free or bring their own food and drinks and pay $100. The restaurant continues to practice social distancing.

Monday-Thursday 11am-8pm Friday-Saturday 11am-10pm, Sunday 12pm-6pm

Great Chicago Fire & Brewery 352.474.2739/ 311 W. MAGNOLIA ST., LEESBURG CHIFIBREW.COM | ONOURTAPS.COM When you visit Great Chicago Fire & Brewery, you can expect an extensive menu of Chicago-specific foods, including Chicago-style Italian beef, Italian sausage, gyros, meatball subs, Chicago-style tamales and pizza puffs. Most of the ingredients come directly from Illinois, including vienna sausages, poppyseed buns, neongreen relish, pickles and mustard for their Chicago-style dogs. They also serve a lesser known Chicago-style thin crust pizza, baked to a golden brown and cut into squares. Enjoy indoor or outdoor seating while you sip their 311 Amber, Southern Brown and House IPA, or one of their seven unique beers on tap, where you can find an updated list of at onourtaps.com.

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DINING GUIDE

The Kitchen Café

Tuesday-Saturday 9am-2pm

352.901.6537 | 712 W. MAIN ST., LEESBURG GETCOOKINGWITHZE.COM Culinary creativity comes alive at The Kitchen Café, tucked away inside the Southern Gardens Mall in Downtown Leesburg. The “create-your-own-bowl” option allows diners to choose a base product such as brown rice, sweet potatoes, good rice and riced cauliflower. From there, pick your choice of veggies, and a plant or animal based protein options like citrus grilled, herb roasted chicken, or personal meatloaf. Other menu items include thier made from scratch soups, chicken salad, and flavorful breakfast items like sweet potato hash, and a breakfast sandwich made with homestyle yeast rolls. Partnering with local food purveyors bring “fresh” back to the table.

Mamma’s Pizzeria 352.728.2020 & 352.365.9004 | 27405 U.S. HWY. 27, LEESBURG MAMMASPIZZERIAON27.COM Step into Mamma’s Pizzeria and step into Little Italy. Owners Jimmy and Shawna Pancari have created an authentic, hometown restaurant adorned with an Italian flag, chandelier lighting and photos of New York City—fitting since Mamma’s specializes in New York-style pizza, the thinner the crust the better. Get any toppings you want up to super-deluxe pizza with everything on it. Other favorites include chicken parmesan, chicken marsala, classic lasagna and a variety of salads. Jimmy and Shawna’s four children also work at the family business. Jimmy spent 31 years in the Coast Guard, and Mamma’s takes care of veterans, residents from nearby retirement communities and Northern transplants, all of whom are a big part of the devoted customer base. The restaurant offers online ordering, catering and delivery.

Mission Inn Resort & Club 10400 COUNTY ROAD 48, HOWEY-IN-THE-HILLS | 352.324.3101 Taste of Hometown Featuring Farm to Table Perfection: The dishes are prepared by an award-winning culinary team that reflects their experience from the finest kitchens around the world. On-site Herb and Vegetable gardens bring a distinctive homegrown appeal and flavors earning us the reputation as a great spot for celebrating holiday events, business lunches & dinners, as well as special family occasions like birthdays and anniversaries. From casual to candlelight, Mission Inn’s four restaurants and two lounges provide guests with superb variety, service and innovative entrees with plentiful portions. Special wine pairing dinner events, weddings and banquet functions are also offered.

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Monday-Thursday 11am-8pm Friday 11am-9pm Saturday 3-9pm Sunday 12pm-7pm

A 50 year tradition of excellence in the community is the reason you can feel at home at the Mission Inn Resort.

Wednesday-Sunday 4pm-9pm Closed Monday and Tuesday.

Full Gluten-Free Menu

Tuesday-Sunday 1pm-9pm

Mom & Dad’s Italian Restaurant 352.753.2722 | 304 US-441, LADY LAKE Mom and Dad’s Italian Restaurant in Lady Lake has the distinct honor of calling itself a true family-owned restaurant. In fact, five generations of family members have represented the restaurant since its humble beginnings in May 1962. As many generations of customers have dined there throughout the years thanks to the outstanding service and scrumptious dishes such as Spaghetti a la Bruzzi, Delmonico steak, and lasagna. This food savvy family prepares everything from scratch, crafting everything with love to satisfy your taste buds.

Mystic Ice Cream 1217 W. MILLER ST. (COUNTY ROAD 466A), FRUITLAND PARK 352.812.1366 Delicious homemade ice cream in a variety of flavors draws all ages to Mystic Ice Cream. Owners Darrell and Lisa Day both have their favorites. Darrell enjoys the peanut butter crunch, a creamy, light peanut butter ice cream with Reese’s crumbles and Reese’s Pieces, while Lisa, loves the butterscotch crunch, a vanilla-base ice cream with butterscotch schnapps and Heath candy bar crumbles. The Days also serve adult ice creams with liqueur, including the popular Mystic Slide featuring chocolate ice cream with Kahlúa and amaretto. Mystic Ice Cream seats 80 people and the parlor is a pop culture museum filled with Beatles memorabilia. This is also a fun place to go for nightly entertainment, including game shows, trivia night and karaoke.

Open at 11am Daily

Casual lakeside dining at its finest!

Puddle Jumpers 352.508.5862 | 111 W. RUBY ST. TAVARES PUDDLEJUMPERSLAKESIDE.COM Seaplanes land gracefully on the water as the sun’s rays glisten across Lake Dora. This creates a perfect backdrop to a wonderful lakeside dining experience at Puddle Jumpers. Owner Jon Aramino describes his food as “American fare with a twist.” That twist includes signature burgers such as the B’s Knees, featuring crisp bacon, Chipotle black raspberry sauce and Brie cheese. If you’re really hungry, consider the seafood platter affectionately named Crash Landing, which comes with two crab cakes, peel-and-eat shrimp and Mahi bites. An upstairs room with balcony seating and a private bar is perfect for private banquets, and there’s also a 30-seat bar outside offering house wines and bottled drinks.

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DINING GUIDE

Roberto’s Ristorante & Pizzeria 352.626.1059 | 2468 BURNSED BLVD., WILDWOOD FACEBOOK.COM/ROBERTOSRISTORANTEVILLAGES

Monday-Saturday 11am-9pm Sunday 4pm-8pm

Fresh, high-quality products will make you feel like you’re really in Italy when you visit Roberto’s Ristorante & Pizzeria, located in Pinellas Plaza in The Villages. Owner and chef Roberto Manco makes many of his products fresh every day, including mozzarella and Italian-style bread that customers can buy by the loaf or enjoy as garlic rolls with their dinner. Enjoy specials for lunch and dinner, where you can try the chicken piccata, sea bass, chicken marsala and seafood combo, as well as many fresh pasta dishes and salads topped with the homemade mozzarella. Roberto’s offers an extensive dessert menu, including tiramisu and limoncello cake made in house, as well as many desserts that get shipped straight from Italy.

Stavros and Sons Eustis 2100 W. COUNTY ROAD 44, EUSTIS | 352.589.9100 STAVROSANDSONS.COM Baked ziti, fettuccini Alfredo, Greek salad, lasagna, meatloaf parmigiana, shrimp scampi, chicken scampi and, of course, pizza are favorites at Stavros and Sons Eustis, run by Pete and Heather Kountanis. Pete is the son of Stavros and Amanda Kountanis, who started the first Stavros in Daytona Beach in 1974. “Running the restaurant is a family affair,” says Heather. “You can find Amanda here Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday nights and at the Fruitland Park restaurant on Saturday, Sunday and Tuesdays. Stavros is never far away, popping in frequently to prepare one of his famous recipes.”

Tuesday-Thursday 11am-9pm Friday-Saturday 11am-10pm Sunday 11am-9pm Closed Mondays

“We are so much more than pizza,” Heather says. “We make a killer shrimp scampi or a chicken scampi that’s very popular. Our sautéed dishes are something that might be unexpected for a pizza place.” Stavros is semi-retired but his wife, Amanda, continues to work at the Eustis restaurant on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday. She is at Stavros’ Fruitland Park location on Saturday, Sunday and Tuesday.

Stavros and Sons Fruitland Park 3223 U.S. HIGHWAY 441, FRUITLAND PARK | 352.315.0028 Stavros has been a popular family business for nearly 50 years, where Stavros Kountanis and his wife, Amanda, were the original owners of all Stavros Pizza locations, known for delicious pizza and other beloved dishes made from recipes passed down by Stavros’ mother in Greece. Stavros’ son, George, and his wife, Cyndi, run the Stavros and Sons Fruitland Park restaurant. “Our pizza dough is my husband’s grandmother’s recipe that has never changed through all the years,” says Cyndi. “We are most known for our pizzas, Greek salad, lasagna, stuffed peppers and even Philly cheesesteaks. People love our warm atmosphere and that we are a family-owned business. All of our employees are family.”

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Tuesday-Thursday 11am-9pm Friday & Saturday 11am-10pm Sunday 11am-9pm Closed Mondays

Coming Soon! New location opening in Wildwood!

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

Open Daily 8am-7pm

Yalaha Bakery 352.324.3366 | 8210 STATE ROAD 48, YALAHA

A German Bakery Like No Other!

The family owned German Bakery since 1995, is an award-winning Bakery that offers to customers high-quality German products made with the highest culinary standards. Fine European pastries and breads are made with organic flours, chocolates, and spices, butter, and imported European ingredients. Take home tortes, tarts, and wonderful pretzels, but before you go home, enjoy something from our delicious deli menu. We serve breakfast from 8-11am and lunch and dinner are served 11am-7pm. Enjoy German specialties like Nurnberger breakfast, Hunterschnitzel with Spätzle, Bratwurst, Reuben, Quiche, typical German soups, and maybe Semelknoedel (bread dumplings with mushroom sauce) for lunch or dinner. We offer a fine selection of German beers and wines. Whatever time of day, you’ll find something you love at Yalaha Bakery. On the weekends you can come and enjoy various events and music concerts on Saturdays and Sundays at our Beer Garden. You can follow us on Facebook, Twitter or via our website www.yalahabakery.com

Would you like to see your restaurant in our dining section? CALL US AT 352.787.4112

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tional origin, Villagesage, disability or gender. ATENCIÓN: Si habla español, tiene a su disposición servicios gratuitos de asistencia lingüística. Llame al 1-800- 352Accepted -8773).Y0011_98890_M ATANSYON: w1019 paleisCMS Kreyòl Ayisyen, sèvis èdcontract. pou lang ki disponib gratis pou ou. Rele 1-800-352-2583 (TTY: 1-800-955-8770). ©2020 Florida Blue Si Medicare an HMO plan withgen a Medicare Enrollment in Florida Blue Medicare depends on contract renewal. HMO coverage is offered by Blue Florida is an a Medicare contract. Enrollment Florida BlueShield Medicare depends on contract renewal. HMO cov Florida Blue Medicare Medicare, Inc., DBA Floridaplan Blue with Medicare, an Independent Licensee of the Bluein Cross and Blue Association. Every year, Medicare evaluates of Florida, Inc.,Blue DBA Florida Blue. All HMO rights reserved.

based on a 5-star system. Applicable to 2020 HMO plans on of contract H1035.Cross Other providers areShield availableAssociation. in our network.Every We comply applicable evaluate Inc.,plans DBA Florida Bluerating Medicare, an Independent Licensee the Blue and Blue year,withMedicare Federal civil rights laws and do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, disability or gender. ATENCIÓN: Si habla español, tiene a su Applicable 2020 gratuitos HMO plans on contract H1035. providers are1-877-955-8773). available inATANSYON: our network. WeKreyòl comply with applicable civil r disposiciónto servicios de asistencia lingüística. Llame Other al 1-800-352-2583 (TTY: Si w pale Ayisyen, gen sèvis èd pouFederal lang 19 CMS Accepted ki disponib gratis pou ou. Rele 1-800-352-2583 (TTY: 1-800-955-8770). ©2020 Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Florida, Inc., DBA Florida Blue. All rights reserved. basis of race, color, national origin, age, disability or gender. ATENCIÓN: Si habla español, tiene a su disposición servicios gratuitos de as Villages 2583 (TTY: 1-877-955-8773). Y0011_98890_M 1019 CMS AcceptedATANSYON: Si w pale Kreyòl Ayisyen, gen sèvis èd pou lang ki disponib gratis pou ou. Rele 1-800-352-25 Cross and Blue Shield of Florida, Inc., DBA Florida Blue. All rights reserved.

“The quality of work was exceptional creating our pool paradise. The entire process was a total team e ort rom sales, design and t e construction which made our experience hassle free. They met their time line schedule, were very responsive and approachable to any questions we had. Overall, Wiseman ools did a er nice o , ere e cient and true passionate professionals that exceeded our expectations.” — RYAN & TIFFANY LANGSTON, LEESBURG, FLORIDA

We know that every single customer is unique—Building Unique Pools is our company motto—and so every project we undertake is delivered to a client’s signature set of personal tastes and, where necessary, solves any challenges their property may present. 352-431-3766 | www.WisemanPools.com | 1517 W Main St., Leesburg Wiseman Pools is a family-owned-and-operated, licensed residential and commercial swimming pool builder with an extensive portfolio of projects. From the small—fountains and in-ground spas. To the large—million dollar installations with multiple pools and spas. Our customers, large and small, demand a quality swimming pool for a fair price. And we deliver.

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FINAL THOUGHT

CO MMENTARY

Let’s rekindle our outrage Perhaps a wall could combat apathy toward mass shootings. STORY: JAMES COMBS

uild the damn wall. I don’t care how much it costs. I don’t care who pays for it. I don’t care how many oppose it. I’m not referring to a wall along the U.S.-Mexico border. I’m talking about a wall to memorialize the thousands of people who have died at the hands of mass shooters in this country. The wall would come with several touch-screen kiosks that provide information about the victims. Reading their stories might motivate us to

do something about these shootings rather than readily accept them as part of daily life. We’ll feel strong emotions for Liviu Librescu, a 76-year-old engineering professor at Virginia Tech University. In 2007, a deranged shooter made his way into Liviu’s classroom and murdered him. As a child, Liviu survived the Holocaust. He did not survive the U.S. mass shooting epidemic. We’ll shed a tear for 30-year-old Kameron Brown. The Army veteran was on his way to work when he became one of seven victims in the Odessa, Texas, mass shooting. He survived the bloody battlefields of Afghanistan. He did not survive the U.S. mass shooting epidemic.

We’ll choke up while reading about Charleston Hartfield, an off-duty police officer who was shot and killed during a 2017 concert in Las Vegas. A married father of two children, he survived being a police officer in Sin City for 11 years. He did not survive the U.S. mass shooting epidemic. Our heartstrings will be pulled when we see the names of people spanning all ages—from 18-month-old Noah Holcombe, killed in the Sutherland Springs, Texas, shooting, to 97-year-old Rose Mallinger, killed in the Pittsburgh synagogue shooting. We’ll weep over the shattered dreams of Nicholas Dworet, a Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School senior who was shot in the head. He received a swimming scholarship to the University of Indianapolis and aspired to become an Olympian. We’ll experience heartache for the 11 children who lost their mother in the blink of an eye when 49-year-old Brenda Lee Marquez McCool was gunned down at the Pulse Nightclub in Orlando. She was at the club with her gay son. The wall also will be a grim reminder that no one and nowhere is immune. Not retail stores. Not churches. Not nightclubs. Not newspaper offices. Not outdoor concerts. Not movie theaters. Not elementary schools. Not high schools. Not college campuses. Not military bases. Not beer factories. As these shootings pass in and out of the news cycle, it seems more and more people become numb to them. Or maybe they feel powerless to help so they shut down those feelings of empathy. There are things that all of us can do. Vote. Write our representatives. Become politically active in organizations trying to combat this epidemic. In the meantime, let’s build that wall. Let it be a motivator to do your part in preventing future mass shootings.

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

JAMES COMBS

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U F H e a l t h T h e Vi l l a g e s ® H o s p i t a l Freestanding ER. L O C AT E D A C R O S S F R O M B R O W N W O O D S Q U A R E The first full-service emergency department in the Wildwood area is now open. The freestanding ER offers quality care from seasoned health care experts, 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Learn more at thevillagesregionalhospital.org/er

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Style Magazine, July 2020

Articles inside

SPIRITS

FINAL THOUGHT

FORK ON THE ROAD

SUCCESS STORY

IN THE KITCHEN

PERSON OF INTEREST

FROM THE PUBLISHER

INSPIRATION

MY FIRST TIME

LOCAL TALENT

THE HIT LIST