Category Archives: The Villages Daily Sun

Candaece Chatman understands the importance of second chances. She has experienced incarceration, homelessness and the loss of loved ones. Now, through the nonprofit she founded, Virginia Samuels Cares Inc., Chatman is helping others overcome difficult situations. The organization is named after her grandmother, Virginia Samuels, a former employee of the City of Leesburg who dedicatedContinue reading “Candace Chatman Cares Through Nonprofit Work”

On May 16, Barbara Palmer-Hafner, of the Village of LaBelle, was named the first president of the new Alpha Epsilon Epsilon Omega chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., also known as The Pearls of North Lake County, during a chartering ceremony for the alumni chapter of the sorority. Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority is oneContinue reading “Alpha Kappa Alpha Starts Local Chapter”

Steady drumbeats echoed across Lake Harris as dragon boaters faced off during the Central Florida Dragon Boat Challenge and Food Fest. More than 600 people — from paddlers to spectators — took over Leesburg’s Ski Beach Park in Leesburg on Saturday for the free event held in partnership with Pan Am Dragon Boat and theContinue reading “Paddles Clash During Central Florida Dragon Boat Challenge”

Sheena Willis enjoys bringing the community together. As founder and executive director of the Orange Blossom Market Co., Willis has worked since 2022 to organize recurring community events such as Discover Leesburg and the Howey Artisan Market. “It’s always great to support the community,” Willis said. “I work with vendors from all over Central FloridaContinue reading “Discover Surrounding Communities Through Local Events”

Art can cause people to focus on stories that might have been overlooked for centuries. Aiming to highlight Florida’s role in national history through art and discussion, the Florida’s Eve of Emancipation event was Friday at the Fort King National Historic Landmark, 3925 E. Fort King St., Ocala. Along with unveiling an original painting byContinue reading “History Is Highlighted Through Art During Florida’s Eve of Emancipation Event”

From blooming gardens in Leesburg to fresh plantings at the Belleview Community Garden, communities surrounding The Villages are digging in to make the area a little brighter and a lot greener. A new pollinator garden is just one of many community beautification projects that has sprouted in Leesburg. Planted at the Leesburg Public Library, theContinue reading “Parks and Gardens Pop Up in Surrounding Communities”

From active-duty military to veterans, service men and women dedicate their lives to keep Americans safe. The highest sacrifice of military service is honored nationally every year on Memorial Day, a federal holiday that honors U.S. military personnel who died in service. This year, Memorial Day falls on May 25. To honor that sacrifice, theContinue reading “Memorial Day Events in Surrounding Communities”

Dakotah Garcia, regional field manager with The Villages Recreation and Parks Department, was excited to see the variety in creativity produced by the 16 participants during the crafting event at Churchill Street Recreation. “I’m new to the planning side of the program,” Garcia said. “I’ve been planning events for S.T.A.R. since March, but I’ve previouslyContinue reading “With red, green, purple, blue and orange plastic beads dangling from strings tied to wooden dowels, the Beaded Suncatchers event created a room full of glistening color. The Special Talented Adult Resident (S.T.A.R.) program recently hosted the event as part of its month of May activities.”

Members of Okahumpka Community Club are carefully reconstructing the past in an effort to educate the future. Currently, a shell of what was once a two-room, wood-frame school for Black children, Okahumpka Rosenwald School is being recreated as a museum encapsulating the school’s legacy. Harriet Hawkins-Livingston, a member of the OCC and a former studentContinue reading “Okahumpka Community Club Makes Progress on Historic School Reconstruction”

A lion with a colorful mane. Water lilies growing out of a calm body of water. A family of whimsical dog characters called The Barkertons. Katy Karol believes the artwork by members of the Pastel Society of Central Florida is extraordinary. Artists with the Pastel Society of Central Florida showcased their artwork and spoke withContinue reading “Pastel Society of Central Florida Premiers at LCMA”