Style Magazine

Eagle Exterminating Builds 50-Year Legacy on Relationships and Trust 🤝 Celebrating their 50th year, Eagle Exterminating has built its reputation the old-fashioned way through customer relationships, word-of-mouth referrals and treating customers like family. The company founded in Mount Dora by Ed Robinette, Sr. and Danny Holderfield has continued growing throughout Lake County while maintaining its small-town approach to customer service. Today, owner Kenny Driggers oversees the pest control side of the business after purchasing it in 2019. Kenny first joined Eagle Exterminating in 1981 at age 19 after his father, who was friends with Robinette, spotted a want ad in the newspaper. “At first it was just a job,” Kenny says. “Then I realized I liked meeting different people every day and not being in one place all the time.” More than 40 years later, Kenny says the company’s biggest strength remains its relationships with longtime customers in Lake County and The Villages. “Our customers are family,” Kenny says. “They’re not just a number.” Read all about our legacy businesses here: vist.ly/5b89c

Free Produce for Kids and Z88.3 Appearance Highlight Community Events This Week ❤️ Residents will have two opportunities this week to support local businesses and enjoy free family-friendly community events. The first event, the Fresh Market at Ferran Park, takes place Wednesday, July 15 from 5 to 8 p.m. at Ferran Park in downtown Eustis. Under the oak trees by the bandshell, local vendors will offer fresh produce, handmade goods, baked treats and specialty foods. AdventHealth is sponsoring free fresh produce for kids while supplies last. The market is held every other week and then moves to every week starting back in October. The following evening, Thursday, July 16, the United in Faith - Girls Night Out community event will be held from 5 to 8 p.m. at the Venetian Center in Leesburg. The event will feature more than 40 local small business vendors, food, giveaways and fellowship, with popular Christian radio station Z88.3 scheduled to be on site throughout the evening. AdventHealth will also sponsor giveaways during the event and attendees can enter for a chance to win a Whimsy Market giveaway basket worth more than $550. Admission and parking are free for both events.

Barrels & Boards Evolves From Simple Sandwich Shop into Community Destination 🥪🍺 In October of 2021, Barrels & Boards opened with a paper menu, five sandwiches and just a few beverage choices. Today, the Groveland gathering spot features about 50 rotating craft beers, an expanded menu of creative sandwiches and charcuterie boards, and a full calendar of trivia, karaoke and live entertainment. For owners Scott and Suzanne Powers, the transformation didn’t come from a business plan. It came from a willingness to experiment. “We were definitely flying by the seat of our pants,” Scott says. “Neither of us had ever worked at a bar or a restaurant. So, when we created this, we created it our way, which ended up being unique because neither of us had any experience. And so far, it’s worked.” Much of the menu grew through a kind of homegrown research and development. Rather than relying on recipes or restaurant experience, he and his team simply started combining flavors. “We just came in one day and started creating sandwiches,” Scott says. “A couple of employees were here and we just sat here and tried things. Even if it sounded weird we said, ‘Hey, let’s put this together.'” Full story here: vist.ly/5b788

Lake County Mom Hides Thousands of Free Signs to Lift Community Spirits 🇺🇸❤️ Sara Berghuis slips a wooden sign into her car before nearly every errand, never sure exactly where it will end up. Sometimes it rides along for days or weeks. Then, in a quiet moment, spotting a scenic roadside pull-off, meeting a stranger whose smile feels right, or simply following a gut feeling, she places it where someone might discover it. The signs are free, mostly. Hand-painted on scrap wood, they carry messages of hope, patriotism, kindness and encouragement. In the six and a half years since she began, Sara estimates she has created nearly 3,000 of them. Only about 200 have been sold. The rest have been left throughout Marion and Lake County for anyone to claim. “I had made a handful of signs and didn’t know what to do with them,” Sara says. “So I started putting them in random places to try and see if I could get people to take them if they liked it.” It began as a personal tribute after her grandfather’s death. It’s a real-life treasure hunt with wooden treasures that have brightened birthdays, lifted bad days and reminded residents that small acts of kindness still exist. Read her inspiring story here: vist.ly/5b6gz

🍎Missy Frana, a veteran Lake County educator with nearly 30 years of experience, has been named the new principal of South Sumter High School for the 2026-27 school year. Principal Frana has served in Lake County Schools for more than 20 years. She has been tasked to lead the Raiders high school program starting this fall. She most recently served as principal of Cecil E. Gray Middle School in Groveland since 2021. “It’s a blessing to now work in Sumter County home to the number 9 high school in the state of Florida,” says Frana. “While I absolutely loved my time working in Lake County Schools, opportunities like this don’t come around often, so I’m so grateful for this opportunity of a lifetime.” Frana says she is impressed with the alignment and high expectations already in place among the faculty and athletics program at South Sumter. “One of the things that has impressed me from day one is just how aligned the faculty and teachers are here,” she says. “There’s already a high bar set for everyone at South Sumter and that includes both academically and athletically. A Leesburg High School graduate, Frana noted a personal connection that brings her appointment full circle. “I’m a Leesburg High graduate with Ty Lawrence, who is now the South Sumter High School athletic director,” she says. It’s a really great moment to be able to reconnect and just look back at how far we have come.” Full story here: vist.ly/5b64h

🏆 ...And the winner is... the Lake County Sheriff's Office! Local law enforcement officers and firefighters traded badges for bibs during a spirited rib-eating competition at Texas Roadhouse in Mount Dora, all for a great cause. Representatives from the Lake County Sheriff's Office, Mount Dora Police Department, Mount Dora Fire Rescue, Umatilla Police Department, Umatilla Fire Rescue, Tavares Police Department and Mid-Florida SWAT competed for the chance to win 10% of the evening's sales for the charity of their choice. There was just one catch — no hands allowed! After several rounds of messy competition, the championship came down to Nick Menacho (Mount Dora Police Department), JT Allred (Mid-Florida SWAT), Tatiana Vicente (Tavares Police Department), Daniel Roman (Lake County Sheriff's Office) and Jeff McNeal (Umatilla Police Department). For the final challenge, contestants had to close their eyes while being fed ribs by a fellow officer, making for plenty of laughs from the crowd. Daniel Roman claimed the title, earning the victory for the Lake County Sheriff's Office. The win means 10% of the night's sales will benefit Lake County Sheriff's Charities. Congratulations to all of the agencies that participated and helped make the event a fun way to give back to the community! 👏🚔🚒

Dunstan & Son Plumbing Celebrates 104 Years of Service in Lake and Sumter Counties 🧰 For more than a century, when pipes burst, water heaters failed or drains backed up, generations of Lake and Sumter county residents have known exactly who to call: Dunstan & Son Plumbing. The Leesburg company founded in 1922 built its reputation the old-fashioned way — one service call, one handshake and one loyal customer at a time. In an era when family-run businesses are becoming increasingly rare, Dunstan & Son has remained a steady presence in the community for 104 years. Owner John Snyder joined the company in 1979 as an 18-year-old high school senior and purchased the business in 1999. Today, the company maintains the kind of reputation that lasts generations by combining modern plumbing technology with an impressive level of customer service that’s hard to find. Dunstan & Son operates 16 service trucks across Central Florida and handles more than 80 calls a day to fix everything from broken water heaters and emergency leaks at homes and businesses across Lake and Sumter counties. The heart of the company hasn’t changed much over the decades. Many employees have been with the business for 20 years or more, creating a workplace that feels more like extended family than a company roster. Read all about our legacy businesses here: vist.ly/5b3t5

Sand Ballerz Turns Volleyball into a Community Festival 🏐 What began as a small beach volleyball tournament among friends in downtown Tavares has grown into one of Central Florida’s most unique and fast-growing volleyball events. Founded by Jordan Katz and his family, Sand Ballerz has become known for combining competitive sand volleyball with themed festivals, music, giveaways and community partnerships that create an experience unlike a traditional tournament. From Halloween costumes and Candyland-inspired courts to DJs, food trucks and charity partnerships, the events have transformed beach volleyball into an immersive social atmosphere attracting players and spectators from across Florida and beyond. “It’s not just a volleyball tournament,” Jordan says. “There’s a lot of other parts to it and it’s so much fun.” The idea began after Jordan and his friend Bryce started playing in beach volleyball tournaments throughout Florida. While they enjoyed the sport, they noticed something missing. “There was a lot of time between games where we were just sitting there,” Jordan says. “If I’m not playing volleyball, what else am I doing?” Jordan also felt many tournaments focused only on top-level players, leaving recreational competitors feeling overlooked. He wanted to create something that felt welcoming and entertaining for every skill level. Read full story here: vist.ly/5b3bd

Gov. DeSantis Signs $4 Million Groveland Four Compensation Into Law 🙌 More than seven decades after the Groveland Four were falsely accused of rape, the families of the four men will receive $4 million from the State of Florida. Gov. Ron DeSantis signed the state’s 2026-27 budget June 29, making the compensation package official and completing another long-awaited step for the descendants of Charles Greenlee, Walter Irvin, Samuel Shepherd and Ernest Thomas. For Charles Greenlee’s daughter Carol Greenlee, the moment brings gratitude and relief. “I’m grateful to Gov. DeSantis for signing the compensation into law, and especially to Sen. Bracy Davis and all of the legislators who championed the cause,” Carol, 76, says from her home in Tennessee. Sen. LaVon Bracy Davis sponsored legislation seeking compensation for the families during the 2026 legislative session. The Senate approved the measure unanimously, but its companion bill did not advance in the House. The funding remained alive through negotiations, however, when lawmakers included $4 million in the final state budget to be divided into $1 million per family or estate. “This was a final act in a series of steps to clear the name of my father and other members of the Groveland Four and I’m very, very appreciative of that,” Carol says. Read full story here: vist.ly/5azjx

The Venue Opens in Clermont, Plans Wedding Expo and Community Events 🤩🍾🎉 A new event venue has opened along U.S. Highway 27 in Clermont, adding another option for weddings, community gatherings and special events in South Lake County. The Venue, located at 2400 S. Highway 27, Building 1-101, opened under the ownership of local restaurateur and chef Uday Kadam, who is well known in the area as the owner of neighboring Guru Indian Restaurant. The facility includes an indoor event hall and outdoor patio space designed to accommodate a variety of functions, from wedding receptions and baby showers to business meetings, charitable fundraisers and community celebrations. One of the first major events planned for the venue is a Wedding Expo scheduled for Sept. 10 from 4-8 p.m. The free event will bring together wedding professionals from across Central Florida, giving engaged couples an opportunity to meet vendors and explore services available for their upcoming weddings. Read full story here: vist.ly/5axkp

🏈 What an incredible night at another successful Keanu Neal Football Camp at South Sumter High School! The former NFL star poured his heart into teaching the next generation of youth student-athletes, sharing wisdom, skills, and a true love for the game. From his Super Bowl run with the Atlanta Falcons, time with the Buccaneers and wrapping up his career with the Pittsburgh Steelers, Keanu continues to give back to the sport and community that gave him so much. Also a huge shoutout has to go to all the South Sumter Alumni and former players who volunteered their time to help make it special for these kids. It was truly an amazing night filled with energy, growth and community spirit. Thank you, Keanu Neal, for investing in our youth and giving back to our community. 👏🏈

Florida Supreme Court Clears Way for James Duckett Execution ⚖️ The Florida Supreme Court has vacated the stay of execution for James Duckett, the rookie Mascotte police officer convicted of raping and killing an 11-year-old girl in 1987. Now, it’s up to Gov. Ron DeSantis to order a new death warrant, but the 68-year-old convicted killer’s lawyer is still fighting for his life. Duckett has always claimed he is innocent in the death of Teresa Mae McAbee. She had been strangled. Her body was discovered floating in a lake near the last place she was seen alive on May 11, 1987 — a convenience store where she was seen getting into Duckett’s patrol car, before getting out and walking around the corner. He had confronted her for being out after curfew. She went to the store to buy a pencil for homework. The case has been controversial for years. Defense attorneys criticized an FBI hair analyst, claiming that he had misrepresented evidence in another case. Then, there was a witness who testified, then recanted her testimony about seeing the girl getting into the patrol car. Read full story here: vist.ly/5au7x

Cecil Clark Chevrolet Marks 54 Years of Family Ownership in Leesburg 🚘 For 54 years, Cecil Clark Chevrolet has operated more than a Leesburg automobile dealership. The business founded in 1972 by Navy veteran Cecil Clark and expanded by his son Greg has built generations of customer relationships, community involvement and family tradition. The dealership officially entered a new chapter last year when Cecil’s grandson Joseph took over operations following the retirement of his father, Greg. “There’s a huge sense of pride and duty that comes with becoming the third-generation Chevrolet dealer of a company my grandfather founded,” Joseph says. Cecil opened the dealership after a successful career selling Chevrolet pickup trucks and Frigidaire refrigerators door-to-door. He considered opening locations in places like Key West and Myrtle Beach, but ultimately chose Leesburg because he believed it was the best place to raise a family. More than five decades later, Joseph says the family remains committed to continuing that same customer-focused approach while adapting to a rapidly growing Central Florida market. “With the migration of new residents to our community, they need look no further than one of the oldest family-run dealerships in Florida,” Joseph says. Read all about our legacy businesses here: vist.ly/5atsi

This is Leesburg High School’s new principal Reshonda Scott! 🎉 Reshonda Scott has been named the new principal of Leesburg High School. She began her career with Lake County Schools in 2012 as an English Language Arts teacher, then served as a dean at Triangle Elementary School, assistant principal at Windy Hill Middle, and curriculum administrator at East Ridge High School. In December 2025, she was named Lake County’s Assistant Principal of the Year, and she was recently honored as Florida’s 2026 Assistant Principal of the Year. Ms. Scott is excited to lead Leesburg High School into the 2026-27 school year! She steps into the role previously held by Andrea Pyatt, who is moving to become principal at Cecil E. Gray Middle School. Pyatt is filling the vacancy left by Melissa Frana, who accepted the principal position at South Sumter High School. Congratulations, Principal Scott! We wish you and all our schools a fantastic new year ahead. 💪📚

Lake Minneola Student Corinne Vogel Takes Center Stage with Talent Far Beyond Her Years 🎤 From performing at Carnegie Hall as a WorldStrides Honor Choir finalist to earning a 2026 Applause Awards nomination, Lake Minneola High School student Corinne Vogel has already achieved impressive milestones. The incoming junior balances a 4.2 GPA with choir, theatre and a passion for performing as she works toward her dream of one day performing on Broadway. #LakeMinneolaHigh #BroadwayDreams #StudentSpotlight #StyleMagazine #LakeCounty Read more about Corinne's accomplishments, inspirations and future goals in the latest issue of Style Magazine: vist.ly/5at9y

Willy Buck’s Backyard Grill Exceeds Expectations with Booming Leesburg Debut 🔥 The day starts with a pre-shift meeting of encouragement, checklists and a little prayer. Then the doors open and it all kicks off for the team at Willy Bucks in Leesburg, the newest and exceedingly popular restaurant in town. Owners Michael and Shanrika Lee-Brown have been humbled by the experience. “We did not expect it to be so busy right out the gate,” Michael says. “I believe I projected half of what we are currently doing on a daily basis and it’s just amazing what God can do when you believe in him and you have a community that surrounds you and loves you the way that Lake and Sumter County does.” The lines have been long from the jump and are a mixed bag of community, from law enforcement and sports teams to people in the trades and high school kids. There is usually someone waiting before the doors open. “It has been amazing, rewarding and mind blowing.” Shanrika says. “I have definitely learned a lot. I would be lying if I said we weren’t tired, but the energy of the people visiting us and our team keep us going.” They have been so busy that they had to hire an entire second team just to keep up with the demand and not sell their food every day like they were the first week. They are just now monitoring the deliveries more closely and plan to open the drive-through when they settle the sales flow up front. Full story here: vist.ly/5at3r

South Lake High’s Christopher McKenna Signs to Play Football with Southern University 😎🏈🙌 Christopher McKenna, a five-star kicker ranked among the top prospects in Florida and the nation, announced his commitment to play football and continue his academic career at Southern University. Christopher starred at South Lake High School in Lake County. He chose the FCS Southern University program after helping lead the Eagles to the school’s first FHSAA Regional Championship appearance in 2025. “I'm excited to announce my commitment to Southern University,” Christopher says. “I'm thankful for all the coaches who have helped guide me in this journey.” Read the full story here: vist.ly/5as7x

Two Old Hags Wine Shoppe Gently Turns the Page with New Owners 🍷🍇 When Beatrix Isaac and Linda Kohlmeyer opened their little wine shop in downtown Leesburg on December 6, 2007, it was to celebrate Beatrix’s daughter’s birthday. Because, according to legend, “if you’re going to open a wine shop you might as well do it for a reason that requires a toast.” For nearly two decades Two Old Hags has served as Leesburg’s unofficial living room. Then, Joyce Huey, who eventually became sole owner, turned it into something the community genuinely depended on: a gathering place, a fundraiser hub and the kind of spot where you came for wine and stayed because someone you knew walked in five minutes later. This year Joyce and her son Michael sold Two Old Hags to Ryan McCabe and Layna Sasser — two locals who didn’t have to look far to understand what they were taking on. “We’re just a new chapter,” Ryan says. “Every ‘Hag’ along the way has added their own touch to it and we are slowly adding ours.” Read the full story here: vist.ly/5arkg

From Family Farm to Local Landmark: Brown’s Country Market Continues Generational Legacy 🚜 A small roadside produce stand in Oxford has grown into one of the region’s best-known specialized markets and agritourism destinations. The roots of Brown’s Country Market extend back to when the Brown family settled in Oxford after a train breakdown unexpectedly stranded them in 1915. The family later opened a small general store in Wildwood during the 1930s before launching their farming operation on 93 acres in 1955. “I grew up on this farm, so this piece of land holds a very special place in my heart,” Alisha Brown says. “Being able to take the reins from my dad and continue what my grandfather started is something I don’t take lightly. It’s a tremendous honor and responsibility to carry on our family’s farming legacy.” Brown’s Country Store opened at 13940 U.S. Highway 301 in Oxford in 1977 as a simple roadside stand selling fresh produce directly from the farm. As demand grew, so did the operation, eventually expanding into the large country market now housed inside the farm’s former tomato packing house. Read all about our legacy businesses here: vist.ly/5apge

Custom Bags Handmade by Diane Bilyk are as Unique as the Women Who Carry Them 👛 Inside her home in The Villages, Diane Bilyk is usually surrounded by colorful fabrics, flowers, ribbons and ideas constantly spinning through her mind. That creative energy is exactly what led to ‘Purses to Di For,’ a business that’s become a favorite among women who discover her creations. “I’m always thinking about what to do next and my husband’s like, ‘You know you can stop thinking and just take a break,’ but it’s just too fun,” she says, explaining that she made her own draperies, quilts and comforters when they first arrived. “I’ve always loved to sew and design and create with fabric.” Diane and her husband moved to Florida from Pennsylvania in 2008 after falling in love with The Villages’ golf scene and lifestyle. For 34 years before that, she taught practical and creative skills to middle school students taking family and consumer science—aka home economics—before retiring. Read full story here: vist.ly/5anz6