Author Archives: BreaJjournalist

Gary Segal believes it’s imperative for people to know their rights. In 1965, the Village of Pine Ridge resident — who frequently presents to the Civil Discourse South and is a member of The African American Club of The Villages — joined the Congress of Racial Equality and the Freedom Riders to fight racial injustice.Continue reading “Community Reflects on 160 Years of Civil Rights”

The flickering lights signaling the show was about to start interrupted chatter as excitement to catch up with friends was replaced by the anticipation of The Rainbow Family and Friends of The Villages’ Comedy Night. Almost immediately, comedian Dana Goldberg had a room full of Villagers cracking up for an hour at Hacienda Recreation. WendyContinue reading “Rainbow Family and Friends Club Host Comedy Night”

Whether residents were there to browse locally grown food and handmade crafts for sale, or to sit in on good conversations with neighbors and friends, all agreed this season’s Lady Lake Farmers and Crafts Market was a success. The weekly market, held from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. every Tuesday, hosts various local vendors whoContinue reading “Lady Lake Farmers Market Nears End of its Season”

Dave Davidson is passionate about nature and extending the opportunity to others to explore. With a love for kayaking and routine of romanticizing nature, the Village of Hillsborough resident said it wasn’t long into his time of volunteering with The Friends of the Lake Griffin State Park that he had the idea of helping othersContinue reading “Friends of the Lake Griffin State Park Teach Kayak 101”

For Amanda Brooks, fostering a culture of belonging and preparing young adults diagnosed with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (IDD) such as autism, are her focus — not just for National Autism Month, but every day. Recognized throughout April — with April 2 being World Autism Day — Autism Awareness Month was started in 1970 toContinue reading “April is National Autism Awareness Month”

Amanda McLea wants struggling families to know there is a lifesaving resource available to help ease the pain of a difficult choice. The president of the Leesburg Sunrise Rotary Club said that is why the nonprofit worked to bring the first Safe Haven Baby Box in Lake County to the City of Leesburg. The LeesburgContinue reading “Leesburg Christens Safe Haven Baby Box”

Dr. Carrie Dixon, president of TAAC and a program committee member, said the goal of the event was to highlight women who have been dedicated to education, mentorship and leadership that extends across generations. “What we want to do is put a spotlight on women,” Dixon said. “So this particular program is focused on allContinue reading “The African American Club of The Villages hosts Women’s History Month Program”

Larry Bailey knew he had to act quickly when he discovered tiny wings on two floors in the turret of the Mote-Morris House in early March. Bailey said the discovery of termites in the 134-year-old, four-story, all-wood turret was the latest chapter in the story of a community’s effort to preserve one of its oldestContinue reading “Historic Mote-Morris House Once Again Avoids Destruction”

There’s no place like Hearthstone at Wildwood. At least that’s what residents echoed after screening “The Wizard of Oz,” on St. Patrick’s Day. The assisted living community hosted an interactive dinner and a movie event on March 17. Residents were met with hot-air balloons and flying monkeys hanging from the ceiling and staff dressed asContinue reading “Hearthstone at Wildwood Hosts St. Patrick’s Day Event”

Underneath the chickee, just a few feet away from the Visitor Center of the Fort King National Historic Landmark in Ocala, a group of women from Florida Frontiersmen Inc. gathered to showcase the skills of yesteryear during the Fort King Women’s History Weekend and Pioneer Games. Samantha Jarvis, City of Ocala Outdoor/Historic Resource archaeologist atContinue reading “Women show off skills Of the past at Fort King”