Lake and Sumter Style Magazine

12/07/2025

Last Chance to Experience Lochside’s Grand Opening! ✨

Don’t miss your opportunity to tour Mount Dora’s newest lakeside community—Lochside! Today’s your final chance to explore the model homes, meet the team, and enter to win a $500 Visa® Gift Card.

📅 Sunday, Dec 7 from 12 PM – 5 PM
📍19337 Lochside Lane, Mount Dora, FL
🎁 $500 Visa® Gift Card giveaway!

Come discover sunsets, serenity, and shoreline living.

Community Link: https://vist.ly/4hjc4

Event RSVP Link: https://vist.ly/4hjb2

Community video located in the gallery and YouTube at the links below:
https://vist.ly/4hjbw

https://vist.ly/4hjc6

12/07/2025

Coach Green recalls his father's reactions to his grades versus his sports activities. His father only became upset about his academic performance, highlighting the values that mattered most to him.

12/06/2025

Congratulations to Mount Dora Christian Academy graduate Reggie Virgil who helped Texas Tech win the BIG 12 Football Championship against BYU today! Reggie fulfilled a lifelong dream of winning a Power 5 Championship and had 8 catches for 86 yards on ten targets. We are so proud of him! 👏💪 Can’t wait to watch him in the playoffs!

Photo Credit - Texas Tech Athletics

12/06/2025

If you’ve ever wished cocktails came with a side of magic, BTW’s Crafted Concoctions in Tavares is serving it three times a year. ✨🍸

Owner Rebecca Doherty has turned her bar into a full-blown immersive experience — transforming the space into everything from a whimsical Hatter’s Garden to a Halloween Spookeasy to the beloved holiday pop-up, Miracle on Main.

With a background in hospitality, construction and decades behind the bar, Rebecca builds each transformation by hand — scaffolding, sets, decor and all — turning Mondays into marathon design nights. The result? Guests walk in wide-eyed, jaws dropped, not sure where to look first.
Their cocktail program is just as imaginative, featuring collaborative creations like “Drink Me” and the deconstructed “Jekyll & Hyde.” And with each new pop-up drawing bigger crowds, BTW’s is proving that cocktails don’t have to be simple drinks — they can be experiences people come back for again and again.

Tap to step inside their world of crafted creativity. 👇

12/06/2025

First Indoor Pickleball Facility Opens in Leesburg! 🥒🎾

Drew and Jessica Byer saw the need for a place people could play pickleball year-round without worrying about weather or a lack of lights that would hinder the game. After searching for the perfect space, Yellow Dot Pickleball was born. Yellow Dot is the first indoor pickleball courts in Leesburg, located at 105 Park Center St., Suite 107.

“We spent months searching for the perfect spot to house the courts and feel like it was divine intervention when we found this spot,” Drew says.

The space has five full size courts and one warm up court. They offer a place to play rain or shine seven days a week. The Byers had a soft opening October 15 and are now open for normal operating hours, which are 7am to 10pm. Yellow Dot offers unlimited play for $75 a month and for those that prefer morning hours, they offer a 7am to 11am unlimited monthly plan for $60. They plan to also offer special events that will include tournaments such as King or Queen of the Court, Power Play, Round Robin and more.

Full story here:
https://vist.ly/4hgzc

12/06/2025

The local community has come together to support John Bruce, husband of the late Ellen Bruce, owners of Ellen’s cafe in downtown Leesburg. Ellen was a staple in the community and her fun demeanor is missed by many.

In an effort to help John keep Ellen’s Cafe up and running and relieve some of the burden, a GoFundMe has been set up.

The money raised will go to help continue operations. John is extremely grateful for all of the support that people have shown. Keeping Ellen’s Cafe open is a way to keep her memory alive.

Since 2019, Ellen’s Café has been a warm and welcoming spot in Leesburg, t… Mike Andrews needs your support for Keeping Ellen’s Light Alive: Save Ellen’s Café

12/06/2025

Today’s the Day!

Lochside Grand Opening Starts Now 🎈
Join us at Lochside for a weekend of lakeside charm and home inspiration. Explore our beautifully decorated models, meet the team, and learn about limited-time offers.

📅 Saturday, Dec 6 from 9 AM – 5 PM
📍19337 Lochside Lane, Mount Dora, FL
🎁 $500 Visa® Gift Card giveaway!

Come see why Lochside is the perfect place to call home.

Community Link: https://vist.ly/4hgiz

Event RSVP Link: https://vist.ly/4hgiy

Community video located in the gallery and YouTube at the links below:
https://vist.ly/4hgix

https://vist.ly/4hgi2

12/06/2025

Coach Green shares his program's focus: autonomy, structure, and player development. More than personal achievements, it's about fostering growth. And what makes it special? The diverse backgrounds that shape each player's journey.

12/05/2025

Leesburg Mayor Alan Reisman was honored Thursday night with the Greg Padgett Citizen of the Year awards during the 88th annual Leesburg Area Chamber of Commerce Gala.

Alan says the recognition, presented in memory of longtime community advocate Greg Padgett, was deeply meaningful.

“I am truly honored and humbled tonight,” he says. “This award celebrates the spirit of community service and dedication to Leesburg values that Greg Padgett himself embodied so well. Greg was known for leading with heart, lifting others up, and always putting people first.”

Alan says receiving an award that carries Padgett’s name serves as “a reminder of the standard we should all strive for: serving not for recognition, but for the betterment of our community.”

He thanked the Chamber, the selection committee and residents “who believe in the positive direction our city is heading,” adding that he is grateful for the opportunity to serve Leesburg and work alongside the businesses, organizations and neighbors who contribute to its growth.

“This isn’t just a celebration of one person — it’s a celebration of Leesburg’s momentum and the people who push it forward,” he says. “Together, we are thriving, and building a future our entire community can be proud of.”

He closed by saying he plans to continue serving “with integrity, collaboration, and community at the heart of every step.”

https://vist.ly/4hexa

12/05/2025

Two students at East Ridge High School have been arrested on charges of possessing a firearm, sparking a lockdown and a search by four specially trained canines that can sniff the presence of guns.

A press release from the Lake County Sheriff’s Office stated that a school staff member received a tip about a student with a firearm. That person immediately contacted the school resource deputies on campus.

They were interviewed, arrested and charged with possession of a firearm by a minor, disruption of a school function and possession of a weapon on school grounds.

It is not clear if there were two weapons involved or one weapon involving two students.

The sheriff’s office said it could not make additional comments because the case is still under investigation.

The campus was placed on lockdown until all the buildings were deemed safe.

Besides criminal charges, students also face due process consequences spelled out in the code of conduct and state statutes.

“That means expulsion for bringing a gun on campus,” says Lake County Schools spokeswoman Sherri Owens. “It is a zero tolerance offense.”

Two students at East Ridge High School have been arrested on charges of possessing a firearm, sparking a lockdown and a search by four specially trained can ...

12/05/2025

Kroger UPDATE: Kroger has agreed to give back to Lake County $460,000 for economic incentives now that the grocery chain has announced plans to pull out of its Groveland fulfillment center.

County Commission Chairwoman Leslie Campione texted Style Magazine Friday with the news saying she had just gotten word of the agreement from the county attorney.

She said the money “had been provided as incentives for job creation and capital investment in Lake County and the money will be wired to the county’s general fund in the immediate future. A portion of that money will be used to provide job training and placement assistance to employees who have lost their jobs with Kroger and a portion will be allocated to transportation improvements in Lake County.”

County Commissioners voted unanimously on Tuesday to seek a total of $1.3 million.

Kroger is paying back 100 percent of its obligation. The rest is owed by British grocery company Ocada, according to county spokesman Jeff Foley.

Kroger began its warehouse work at its home-delivery center in 2018. The shutdown is causing 1,400 employees to lose their jobs statewide, with more than 900 of those in Lake County.

On Nov. 18, Kroger put out a press release with the headline: “Kroger Evolves eCommerce Offerings to Improve the Customer Experience, Drive Profitable Sales Growth.”

Part of that “improvement” was the closing of the Groveland operation and ones in Wisconsin and Maryland.

The company said “updates” will result in an operating profit of $400 million in 2026.

It admitted, “The company expects to incur impairment and related charges in the third fiscal quarter of 2025 of approximately $2.6 billion as a result of these closures and the automated fulfillment network not meeting financial expectations.”

The county is working with the state unemployment office, Lake Tech and Lake-Sumter State College to provide training for displaced workers.

https://vist.ly/4heey

12/05/2025

City of Eustis Update: On Thursday, Dec. 4, at 10:57 a.m., a structure fire occurred in Downtown Eustis following a gas leak. The Eustis Fire Department responded and received mutual aid from neighboring agencies to contain the fire.

One individual was critically injured and airlifted to a hospital; we have not received an update on the patient’s condition. Evacuation was advised for the surrounding buildings as a precaution to ensure safety of the occupants.

The affected structure sustained significant damage. Florida’s State Fire Marshal continues to investigate the root cause of the fire, with samples and scene details under review.

“Our crews responded swiftly and worked to bring the scene under control,” said Michael Swanson, Eustis Fire Chief. “We are grateful for the support of our partner agencies and the cooperation of the community.”

Occupation of nearby buildings was allowed to resume yesterday once the area was deemed safe. The site of the fire has been cleared and the road remains blocked on Citrus St. between Eustis St. and Grove St.