Brea’s Buzz

Brea’s Buzz Brea Jones is a reporter for The Villages Daily Sun

Lillian Lockette is determined to share some of Leesburg's more obscure history with the community through the Leesburg ...
06/10/2026

Lillian Lockette is determined to share some of Leesburg's more obscure history with the community through the Leesburg African-American Museum.

She, along with other members of the Lake, Sumter and Marion Counties Section of the National Council of Negro Women, took almost seven months to sift through memorabilia, artwork, faded photographs and old newspaper clippings about Leesburg residents who contributed to the city and county's development.

"This project has been a labor of love," said Lockette, social justice chair of the local chapter of the NCNW. "When I noticed just how many people were not aware of our local history or that there was even a Black history museum in Leesburg, I knew I had to do something. I'm looking forward to seeing young folks come here to learn our history. Grandparents can bring their grandchildren to learn about African Americans who lived in Lake County."

The museum, located at 220 Mike St., Leesburg, is open from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday, Wednesday and Friday, thanks to NCNW members volunteering to give tours of the center that was previously open by appointment only.

Article and photos by: Brea Jones. Printed on 06.08.26 in The Villages Daily Sun.

Art can cause people to focus on stories that might have been overlooked for centuries.Aiming to highlight Florida’s rol...
05/29/2026

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 by local artist Charles Eady, which depicted Abraham, a formerly enslaved Black man who lived near Ocala and became a lead interpreter for Seminoles during the Second Seminole War, the event included conversations about how slavery shaped relations and treaty negotiations between Seminoles.

Article and photos by: Brea Jones. Printed on 05.26.26 in The Villages Daily Sun.

Whether it was by banging on an African drum while learning phrases in Yoruba or coloring in Sri Lankan motifs on a comm...
05/13/2026

Whether it was by banging on an African drum while learning phrases in Yoruba or coloring in Sri Lankan motifs on a community art project, the Cultures Around Us event invited people to immerse themselves in a variety of cultures.

The May 3 event highlighted a wide range of cultures, including African, Asian, Haitian and Hispanic, through art and live performance.

Belina Wright, a self-taught artist based in Florida, decided to host the event in partnership with the Artist With A Purpose art gallery after receiving the United Arts of Central Florida grant.

Article and photos by: Brea Jones. Printed on 05.12.26 in The Villages Daily Sun.

Thawanna Hurge said it is rewarding to give back and show her community she cares.Hurge’s dedication to service is what ...
05/04/2026

Thawanna Hurge said it is rewarding to give back and show her community she cares.

Hurge’s dedication to service is what motivated her to spend four hours on a recent Friday morning separating produce and putting it into carts during the United Way of Lake and Sumter Counties’ Day of Caring 2026.

Hurge, director of community impact for United Way of Lake and Sumter Counties, volunteered to assist at The Neighborhood Center of South Lake, a designated nutritious food pantry that services people who live 200% below the national poverty income level.

“I’m here to put my hands to work,” Hurge said. “If people don’t know about these resources or what’s happening in the community, they can’t be a part of the solution. I feel it’s important to be here and share what it feels like to give back. If we push what we are going through to the side and help people, it’s rewarding and a great way to serve the community.”

Article and photo by: Brea Jones. Printed on 05.04.26 in The Villages Daily Sun.

United Way of Lake & Sumter Counties

B.J. Rolli has been passionate about keeping her community clean since she was a child.Rolli was one of nearly 15 people...
04/30/2026

B.J. Rolli has been passionate about keeping her community clean since she was a child.

Rolli was one of nearly 15 people who volunteered to pick up trash with the Wildwood Street Sweepers on April 22 during the Keep Wildwood Beautiful Earth Day Litter Cleanup Event.

Article and photos by: Brea Jones. Printed on 04.27.26.

The story of Paradise Park will always stay with me. I had the opportunity to meet individuals who grew up going to Par...
04/29/2026

The story of Paradise Park will always stay with me.

I had the opportunity to meet individuals who grew up going to Paradise Park and two ladies who won the title of Miss Paradise Park in their day during the Black Beauties and Silver Springs: A Paradise Park Memory Project event hosted in 2025 by Dr. Porchia Moore at the Marion County Black History Museum at Howard Academy Community Center.

My article on the event ran in The Villages Daily Sun on June 5 2025. Photos and article by Brea Jones.

Friends of Marion County Black History Museum, Inc.

More than 100 players of all ages and skill levels turned their passion into proceeds as they played in the second annua...
04/21/2026

More than 100 players of all ages and skill levels turned their passion into proceeds as they played in the second annual Paddles for Patriots pickleball tournament.

The event, hosted April 11-12 by the GFWC
Mount Dora Woman's Club, brought hundreds of players and supporters to Mount Dora as part of a weekend celebrating women veterans with proceeds benefiting Ashley's House, a 4,000-square-foot transitional home for women veterans run by Villagers for Veterans.

Article and photos by: Brea Jones. Printed on 04.20.26 in The Villages Daily Sun.

Danielle Olivani wants to bring people joy and quell misconceptions. That's what motivated them to host an in-person Lak...
04/21/2026

Danielle Olivani wants to bring people joy and quell misconceptions. That's what motivated them to host an in-person Lake County Pride Fest for the past seven years as president of the Lake County Pride Organization.

Inspired by young people and the desire to give back to their community by bringing people together to have a good time, Olivani said they are excited to be bringing together 13 performers, a dance contest, games and more for the event, set for noon to 8 p.m. Sunday at Ferran Park, 250 Ferran Park Drive, Eustis.

Article by: Brea Jones. Printed on 04.20.26 in The Villages Daily Sun.

Today marks the 160th anniversary of The Civil Rights Act of 1866.In my article printed in today's copy of The Villages ...
04/09/2026

Today marks the 160th anniversary of The Civil Rights Act of 1866.

In my article printed in today's copy of The Villages Daily Sun, I spoke with Villagers and organization leaders about the importance of the legislation, finding ways to protect rights and being involved in the community.

Article by: Brea Jones Printed on 04.09.26 in The Villages Daily Sun.

Amanda McLea wants struggling families to know there is a lifesaving resource available to help ease the pain of a diffi...
04/03/2026

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 Leesburg Safe Haven Baby Box, in compliance with Florida Safe Haven Law, is a ventilated, climate-controlled space that is monitored 24/7 with a surveillance system and an immediate alert going to first responders once opened. The box was built on the side of Leesburg Fire Station 61, 201 S. Canal St., Leesburg.

“It’s about providing the ability for a person to surrender their baby anonymously and without shame,” McLea said. “I wanted to leave a lasting legacy for the Sunrise Rotary Club. Our motto is ‘service above self’ and one of our pillars is improving maternal and child health. This will be another great resource for families in need.”

A blessing ceremony took place March 24 for the Leesburg Safe Haven Baby Box, a community project supported through a partnership with the Leesburg Sunrise Rotary, City of Leesburg and Leesburg Fire Rescue.

Article and posted photo by Brea Jones. Printed on 3.30.26 in The Villages Daily Sun.

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