Category Archives: The Villages Daily Sun

For people navigating the road to recovery, the most powerful guide can be the person who already has traveled that road. Certified peer support specialists use their own experiences to help others find support, hope and a path forward. Florida saw a 20% decrease in drug overdose-related deaths in 2025 compared to 2024, according toContinue reading “Recovery Center Educates Community on Substance Abuse “

The Village of Dabney resident met with other members of Abundance of Love bright and early on Sept. 12 — International Crochet Day — to work on their creations for the community and sew deeper bonds among one another.  “When you think of children who are cold in the wintertime and don’t have any heatContinue reading “Johanna Cole knows with the right tools, crochet enthusiasts can build relationships with like-minded people and create something for someone in need.”

Levonda Goodson operates under the belief that to provide compassionate affordable healthcare, you have to look at the whole person. “People are not thinking about their blood pressure if they don’t know how they’re going to feed their family or get their children to school,” said Goodson, CEO of Estella Byrd Whitman Community Health CenterContinue reading “Health Center Holds 3rd Annual Taste of The Town Fundraiser”

Lillian Lockette is determined to make a positive impact on her community, and that was the goal for The Common Chord: A Lake County Community Celebration. The Lake County Democratic Black Caucus hosted the nonpartisan outreach event Saturday at First Trinity Academy at First Presbyterian Church in Leesburg. The event brought together various churches andContinue reading “Common Chord Event Brings Together Community Churches and Groups “

For Shawn Wethington, the Sophisticated Gents of Florida’s upcoming Jazz Funk Soul concert will be a time to “party with a purpose.” Featuring saxophonist Jay Singleton, the concert from 6 to 9 p.m. Saturday at Savannah Center will help the nonprofit raise money for its charitable efforts as well as introduce Singleton and the SoulContinue reading “For Shawn Wethington, the Sophisticated Gents of Florida’s upcoming Jazz Funk Soul concert will be a time to “party with a purpose.” Featuring saxophonist Jay Singleton, the concert from 6 to 9 p.m. Saturday at Savannah Center will help the nonprofit raise money for its charitable efforts as well as introduce Singleton and the Soul Purpose Band to The Villages.”

The Buttonwood Heights Social Club hosted the soiree Aug. 12 at SeaBreeze Recreation. Estler, who is president of the club, came dressed in an all-black suit, strapped down with white suspenders and topped with a white fedora. He and his wife, Joanne Calsetta, enjoyed connecting with other club members. “Boy, did we luck out whenContinue reading “Bob Estler and other residents of the Village of Buttonwood dressed in pinstripe suits with fedora hats and 1920s-style flapper dresses, and found themselves under wanted posters in an effort to build stronger connections between neighbors during a Gangster Night social.”

Stan Fischer said he has been guided by the motto, “Never forgetting our heritage, always giving back,” for the past 16 years. Fischer said the desire to give back is what motivated him and other residents of The Plantation at Leesburg to change the mission of the African American Heritage Club of the Plantation fromContinue reading “African American Heritage Club of Plantation is More Than a Social Club”

The Leesburg Police Department tested Lake County residents’ knowledge of road rules on Aug. 27 during a traffic trivia event at the Leesburg Public Library. Lt. Shannon Walsh said the goal of Rules of the Road: Traffic Safety Trivia was to help residents brush up on general traffic laws and learn how laws have changedContinue reading “Lake County Residents Get a Refresher on Rules of the Road”

Communities in Lake, Sumter and Marion counties will mark the 25th anniversary of the Sept. 11 attacks with several events, including a prayer breakfast, stair climb challenge honoring first responders and a historical presentation and freedom walk. Belleview The City of Belleview is hosting its annual Freedom Walk at 6 p.m. Sept. 11 at theContinue reading “Local Community Hosts Events to Remember Sept. 11”

As president of The Villages Genealogical Society, Henry Stish felt he had a good grasp on resources available for researching family history and tracking down archives. But after listening to a presentation by The Archive Lady, Stish said even he learned a few new things. Stish, of the Village of Pennecamp, said he is excitedContinue reading “The Archive Lady Presents to The Villages Genealogical Society”