Style Magazine

$2 Million Project Begins to Repair Storm-Damaged Donnelly Street There is a lot of traffic on north Donnelly Street these days – not from cars headed downtown but dump trucks and heavy equipment repairing the road that was washed out during a torrential downpour in October. The city has hired a construction company, which began work on Tuesday. The project is expected to be completed by May. “The cost of the reconstruction project is $2,011,500.40, of which $1,167,505.00 will be covered by the FEMA Hazard Mitigation Grant Program,” city spokeswoman Misty Sommer says in an email to Lake/Sumter Style. “In addition to the support of elected officials at the local and state level, the Florida Department of Transportation (District 5) has been instrumental in assisting with the federal funding application, preparing bid documents for the contractor, and supporting initial recovery efforts, including debris removal and placement of fill material immediately following the incident.” Middlesex Corp. is working around the clock, Sommers says. “With more than 50 years of experience in bridge replacement, highway and interchange infrastructure, and paving and resurfacing, the firm brings significant expertise to this critical effort.” The road, which takes a steep dive down to a bridge over a ravine was eight feet under water when a storm suddenly dumped 14–19 inches in Eustis and 10–14 inches in Mount Dora, according to the National Weather Service. Read the full story here: vist.ly/4wen2

The NEW Burlington location in Lady Lake is set for a grand opening on April 24th. 🎉🥳 Burlington replaces JOANN Fabric and Crafts at Village Crossroads in Lady Lake. Crews are currently installing the exterior signage. The interior of the store is almost complete. Burlington is known for off-price deals and brands. JOANN filed for bankruptcy last year and closed the Lady Lake location.

Tavares Middle School Converts Bus Loop to New Track & Field Complex What was once a cracked, unmarked bus loop from the early 1990s has been transformed into a functional track and field facility at Tavares Middle School, thanks to the relentless vision and hands-on work of coaches Kevin and April Von Maxey and an entire community that refused to let limited resources stand in the way of student-athletes’ dreams. Just a year ago, the 330-meter loop, far short of a regulation 400-meter track was in disrepair, with no painted lines, no exchange zones and no markings for any distance events. The school had no long or triple jump facilities. But the Von Maxeys, who have built a thriving cross country and track program known as the Red Sea Running Club and have coached the Tavares Middle Patriots, kept believing a proper home for their athletes was possible. This spring, that belief became reality through a total community effort. Over spring break, Coach Kevin Von Maxey and Coach April Von Maxey spent every day engineering and constructing a new long jump pit from scratch. After the bus loop was repaved this summer, the couple and volunteers methodically added proper lane lines and finally completed the relay exchange zones just this past weekend. The result? A refurbished track ready for competition and a brand-new long jump pit, giving Tavares Middle School athletes a respectable venue to train and compete with hopes of eventually hosting full meets. This week, the facility will debut for the inaugural “Tavares Challenge,” marking a proud milestone for the Patriots. Full story here: vist.ly/4we5u

Olympians Inspire Oak Park Students During Unforgettable Field Day Experience Oak Park Middle School was full of smiles during its field day on Wednesday, where several Olympians joined the Lyles Brothers Sports Foundation and the USA Track & Field Foundation for a day of fun and inspiration. The visit aimed to encourage students to push beyond their perceived limits and pursue their goals. The Lyles Brothers Sports Foundation and the USA Track & Field Foundation served as outstanding partners, providing students with meaningful mentorship and athletic opportunities in just three short hours. Before each session, students heard powerful motivational messages from Kiesha Bishop, mother of Olympic champion Noah Lyles, and Olympian Sharrieffa Barksdale. Bishop encouraged students to look beyond their shortcomings and believe in their limitless potential. Barksdale challenged them to work hard, maintain a winning attitude and understand the importance of strong character. Following the messages, students rotated through eight competitive track and field stations. At the conclusion of the events, each student received a certificate of completion, a medal and a swag bag to commemorate the experience. “Personally, the day was incredibly special,” Oak Park Principal Dr. Langley says. “Our students had the opportunity to stand in the presence of greatness, hear firsthand what it takes to succeed and then simply enjoy being kids at play. Many walked away inspired, and even today, the excitement and conversations continue. Both organizations complimented our students on their excellent behavior, and I am grateful to our faculty, staff and volunteers from Church of the Lakes who came together to support the event.” Full story here: vist.ly/4wdpu

Eustis Alum Selected for Elite Drum Corps, Seeks Community Support for National Tour A former Eustis High School student is preparing for one final summer on the national stage, earning a spot with the Spirit of Atlanta Drum and Bugle Corps for the 2026 season. Jason Santana, now a student at Florida State University, has been selected to march in what is known as his “age-out” year — the final opportunity performers have to participate in Drum Corps International before turning 22. Drum corps is a highly competitive and demanding activity that brings together musicians ages 15 to 21 from across the country. Participants spend months preparing a single production that is performed nationwide. “Drum corps is an incredible journey where thousands of young individuals work countless hours throughout the entire summer to put together one 13-minute show,” Jason says. “We work 12 hours a day during spring training to perfect the show before taking it on tour across the country.” The tour spans several regions, beginning in the Southeast, traveling through Texas and the Northeast, and culminating at the Drum Corps International World Championships at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis. However, the opportunity comes with a significant financial commitment. Tuition for the season is approximately $6,500, covering housing, meals, instruction and travel for the summer-long tour. As he balances the demands of engineering coursework at Florida State, Jason is now turning to the community for support to help make his final season possible. Jason has launched a fundraising campaign to help cover tuition costs for the 2026 season. In addition to donations, he is encouraging supporters to share his story and attend performances during the summer tour. You can learn more on his fundraising page: vist.ly/4wd95 Read his full story here: vist.ly/4wd94

Community Mourns Mascotte Mother Killed While Trying to Stop $95 Theft 💔 The community is mourning the loss of Ashley Tyer, a local mother who died after trying to stop a theft at her workplace. The incident happened on March 16 at Just Stop Tires in Mascotte, where she had worked for seven years. According to an arrest affidavit, suspect Brandon Lewis had tires replaced at the business before attempting to leave without paying $95 for the service. Investigators say Brandon removed the jacks from the vehicle himself and then backed into an employee. He then drove forward as Ashley stood in front of the vehicle, trying to stop him from leaving. Brandon struck Ashely, who rolled onto the hood before being thrown from the vehicle. She was placed on life support and died March 21. Brandon was later spotted in Polk County and pulled over during an investigative traffic stop. According to the arrest report, the passenger-side windshield of the vehicle was cracked. Authorities matched Brandon to surveillance video from the tire shop at the time of the incident. He was arrested and charged with first-degree vehicular homicide in connection with Ashley’s death. During a court appearance Tuesday, prosecutors say Brandon has a prior conviction for negligent vehicular homicide in Ohio. The probable cause affidavit also states his Florida driver’s license has been suspended since 2021. Brandon’s bond was set at $500,000. He remains in custody at the Lake County Jail, with his next court appearance scheduled for April 20. In the days following Ashley’s death, friends and community members have rallied around her family, calling for justice. Read the full story here: vist.ly/4wcz7

🔥 Big congratulations to all the athletes who competed in the Lake and Sumter Traditional Championship! South Sumter High School hosted this year’s event on Wednesday, showcasing some of the top wrestling talent across the region. From team dominance to individual standout performances, it was a day full of hard-fought matches and well-earned victories. Team Results: 🥇 South Sumter — 84 🥈 East Ridge — 43 🥉 Leesburg — 34 Tavares — 19 Mount Dora — 11 Lake Minneola — 10 Umatilla — 7 Mount Dora Christian — 6 Wildwood — 4 South Lake — 2 Eustis — 0 🏆 Individual Champions: 119 — Makaveli McAfee (South Sumter) 129 — Marion Rivers (East Ridge) 139 — Felipe Alanis (South Sumter) 154 — Gage Anderson (Leesburg) 169 — Colton Durham (Leesburg) 183 — Hayes O’Hara (Mount Dora) 199 — Ryan Thompson (Leesburg) 219 — Gabe Sabilona (South Sumter) 238 — Jason Braswell (South Sumter) UNL — Damarion Daniels (South Sumter) Outstanding effort from every athlete who stepped on the mat. Your dedication, grit and sportsmanship continue to raise the level of wrestling across Lake and Sumter counties. 📸 Photo credit: South Sumter High School

Woman Charged in Ambush That Killed Master Deputy Bradley Link Ruled Competent for Trial Julie Ann Sulpizio, charged with leading sheriff’s deputies into a deadly ambush, is mentally competent to proceed to trial, according to Florida State Hospital. She is being transported back to Tavares where hospital, defense and prosecution experts will appear before a judge to further evaluate her condition, says Assistant State Attorney Ken Nunnelly. Lake deputies were called to the 38000 block of Brookside Drive in Eustis on Aug. 2, 2024 by neighbors who said they were being physically attacked. They said she called them pedophiles and “sinners,” and identified herself as “Helen under God’s will.” She said, “Julie was in Heaven.” She also said, “You see, we need to trick Lucy.” The probable cause affidavit said that is her name for Lucifer. The neighbors said she tried to trick them into going into her house but they did not trust her. When a deputy arrived, she was handcuffed after a struggle and she yelled out, “Michael, Gabriel, Timothy. It’s time now to protect my children.” As the law enforcement officers entered the home to check on her husband and children, Master Deputy Bradley Link was shot and killed. Master Deputy David Howell and Deputy First Class Stefano Gargano were wounded. Michael Sulpizio and daughters Cheyenne and Savannah Sulpizio committed suicide, according to investigators. Deputies said they could hear one of the daughters shout, “My king will kill all of you, you are Lucifer’s children.” Sulpizio, 50, is charged with principal to first-degree premeditated murder of a law enforcement officer, three counts of principal to attempted first-degree murder, conspiracy to commit first-degree murder, battery on a law enforcement officer, and three counts of battery. No trial date has been set. The competency hearing could take place as soon as the end of April. vist.ly/4wb68 📸 Fifth Judicial Circuit State Attorney's Office, Lake County Sheriff's Office

Lake & Sumter Style's All-Area High School Girls Soccer From state championship success to deep postseason runs, girls soccer teams across Lake and Sumter counties delivered an impressive season. Montverde Academy captured a state title, while Lake Minneola, Mount Dora Christian Academy, East Ridge and Mount Dora all made regional appearances. With input from area coaches and the season information provided, Style Magazine is proud to recognize this year’s All-Area Girls Soccer Team. See all the names here: vist.ly/4wa8b

Clermont athlete Victoria Nelson’s road to the IRONMAN World Championship in Kona began long before race day, shaped by mentors, teammates and a community that believed in her potential. From early rides through the Police Athletic League to joining competitive triathlon programs and training alongside experienced athletes, Nelson steadily built the discipline and resilience needed for one of endurance sports’ toughest challenges. After years of preparation and three full IRONMAN races, Nelson achieved her dream of competing in Kona in October 2025. Crossing the finish line was more than completing 140.6 miles, it was the culmination of years of dedication and the support of a village that helped carry her there. Read more: vist.ly/4w9wy

🎉 Congratulations to Mount Dora High School’s Next-Level Student-Athletes! Mount Dora High School is celebrating an impressive group of student-athletes who are taking their talents to the collegiate level — both on the field and in the classroom. These athletes have proven themselves as leaders, competitors and role models in every sense. Signing to continue their academic and athletic careers: Noah Rennard — New College of Florida (Soccer) Ayden Smith — Toccoa Falls College (Soccer) AJ Staples — Trinity College (Football) Shaddiel Torres — Millsaps College (Football) Addison Ganus — Savannah State (Softball) Your hard work, discipline and dedication have paid off, and this is just the beginning. The entire community joins your families, coaches and teammates in celebrating this incredible achievement.

Surrounded by friends, family and coaches, Eustis High School senior Dakeria “Nina” Brown made it official Wednesday, signing her letter of intent to continue her basketball career at Florida State College at Jacksonville.  Nina has been one of the most dominant players in Lake County over the past several seasons. She has played a key role in the resurgence of the Eustis Panthers girls basketball program. This season, she helped lead Eustis to a 21-6 record and the FHSAA Class 4A District 6 Championship, her third district title with the Panthers (2023, 2025 and 2026). The team advanced all the way to the FHSAA Regional Finals for the first time in more than three decades. As a versatile and relentless guard/forward, Nina finished her Eustis career with 1,397 points, 554 rebounds (199 offensive, 355 defensive), 381 assists and 295 steals. She led Class 4A District 6 in assists this season with 112 and established herself as one of the top defensive players in the state. For her efforts, Nina was named the Florida Athletic Coaches Association (FACA) Class 4A Player of the Year for the 2025-26 season. “Nina is a super talented athlete with a confident competitive spirit that does whatever is necessary to win,” Eustis head coach Kelsea Brutton says. “She embraces the challenge of being relied upon and rises to the challenge. In pivotal moments she wants the ball and the responsibility that comes with it.” Congratulations to Nina, her family, friends, coaches and everyone who’s helped her get to this point! vist.ly/4w82a

Clermont iconic throwback Wendy’s closes after 41 years A longtime Wendy's location in Clermont has closed after 41 years in business, part of a broader effort by the company to scale back underperforming restaurants nationwide. With it, Clermont is losing a piece of fast-food history since the restaurant wasn’t just known for its burgers, chili, baked potatoes and frosty desserts. The restaurant still featured a throwback element: a glass-enclosed sunroom, or solarium, a once-common element in Wendy’s locations built in the 1980s and 1990s. Designed to bring in natural light, the rooms often included large windows, hanging plants and wood accents. Wendy’s began moving away from that design more than a decade ago as part of a shift toward sleeker, more energy-efficient buildings. The glass-heavy structures were costly to maintain and no longer fit the company’s updated look, making surviving examples increasingly rare. The Clermont site was believed to be one of the few remaining in Florida, possibly the only one in Central Florida, to retain the original sunroom layout. The closure, confirmed in March 2026, comes as Wendy’s moves forward with a plan to shut down roughly 5% to 6% of its U.S. locations, an estimated 300 to 600 older, under-performing restaurant locations, during the first half of the year. According to the Wendy’s website, year-end reports, and the company’s recent quarterly earnings call, the effort is tied to its ongoing “Project Fresh” initiative, which includes remodeling restaurants and modernizing operations. It is unknown at this time what will happen to the building or what may replace it.

Leesburg Commissioners Push for U.S. 27 Improvements as Traffic Concerns Grow Citizens give city commissioners an earful about all kinds of things, but traffic tops the list – even if it is about congestion on county or state roads. So, it’s no wonder commissioners expressed frustration when they saw the priority list for highway improvements Monday night. “It’s really surprising to me that U.S. 27 is not on the 15-year project list,” said Commissioner Mike Pederson. “It’s a mess.” A “bottleneck” is the way Commissioner Jay Connell described the daily backup all the way to County Road 48. “The state doesn’t have enough money to fix the roads,” said Mike Woods, executive director of the Lake-Sumter Metropolitan Planning Organization. The MPO, which is made up of elected officials, submits a suggested priority list to the state Department of Transportation each year. “How do we get 27 on the priority list?” Mayor Allyson Berry asked. The city needs to say it is a priority on the long-range planning list, Woods said. The biggest problem overall is decreasing revenue from gas taxes, despite a booming population. “Due to growth, it is predicted that vehicle miles traveled daily on the Lake-Sumter road network will almost double during the next 20 years,” the MPO stated in its 2025. It’s not just a traffic slow-down problem. Lake exceeds the normal rate of collisions, Woods said. Who is to blame for the shortage of funds? Read the full story here: vist.ly/4w6en

Dinosaur Statues and Mature Trees Turn Heads at New Lady Lake Nursery 🦖🌸 The much-anticipated opening of Moon Valley Nurseries made a bold entrance in December and continues to draw curious locals along County Road 466 in Lady Lake. It’s hard to miss. A row of oversized dinosaur sculptures lines the road out front, part of a collection of eye-catching yard art imported from Mexico that sets the tone before you even step inside. This is not your typical quiet plant nursery. With locations across the country, Moon Valley specializes in mature trees, palms and privacy hedges, the kind of inventory designed for homeowners who don’t want to wait years to see a landscape take shape. Everything is laid out to help visualize a finished yard, not just a garden in progress. There’s a noticeable emphasis on full installs, with staff guiding customers through what works in Florida’s climate and how to make it look established from day one. The approach is less about wandering and more about planning, with a clear goal: walk out with a vision and have someone else bring it to life. They are very busy so arrive early and have a basic plan. Wholesale and retail available.

Young entrepreneur builds baking business from family tradition 🧁 Cait’s Creations started the way a lot of good things do, in the kitchen with family. Caitlyn Gurosko grew up baking alongside her great-grandmother, learning early on that a handful of simple ingredients could turn into something worth gathering around. Time with her other grandmother added another layer, especially during the holidays, when traditional Italian baked goods filled the table and set the tone for celebrations. Over the past four years, “Cait” began developing her own recipes, testing and tweaking what worked beyond family favorites. “I’ve done a lot of experimenting and now we can make custom themed cake pops in any color or shape, along with chocolate-dipped pretzels and unique flavors like key lime pie, creamy coconut and even butterbeer,” she says. “We’ve also started adding themed cookie cakes to the menu.” Almost a year ago, at 21, she decided to take the leap and launch Cait’s Creations in her Lake Denham kitchen as a cottage baking operation, turning her passion into a small but growing business. Her approach remains humble in what she learned early on: hands-on, personal and built around connection. “I want everyone who interacts with us to feel welcome and happy,” she says. “Seeing people smile and hearing their feedback means everything.” You can find Cait at local pop-ups and custom orders are available. Cait’s Creations / 223.278.0351 / caitsbakerycreations@gmail.com / Instagram: caitscreationsbakery

Lake & Sumter Style Magazine All-Area High School Boys Golf Team ⛳ From steady drives to clutch putts, this season showcased the depth of talent across Lake and Sumter counties. These golfers demonstrated consistency, focus and composure on every course, rising to the challenge in both invitationals and postseason play. With input from area coaches, Style Magazine is proud to recognize this year’s All-Area Boys Golf Team. Player of the Year: Bobby Jones Potash, First Academy First Team: Bobby Jones Potash, First Academy Reagan Smith, First Academy Ryan Jeffers, Eustis Taylor Hayes, Eustis Parker Brayman, Lake Minneola Second Team: Dylan Lapp, Mount Dora Christian Trevor Orobitg, First Academy Jake Lassen, East Ridge Jonah Musselwhite, Mount Dora Christian Jett Fletcher, Eustis Rankings were based on player performance throughout the season, including individual rating (IWR), invitational results and postseason play. Lower IWR scores indicate stronger performance. Results were compiled through participating area coaches.

Local Nonprofit Expands Free Book Program to 1,400 Lake County Children Two and a half years ago, just two children in Lake County were enrolled in Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library through Triangle Community Alliance. Today, 1,443 children receive a free, age-appropriate and imagination-stimulating book in their mailbox every month — with 1,000 of those enrollments happening in 2025 alone. Behind this rapid growth is Debi Weinert, the founder and driving force of Triangle Community Alliance, Inc., a 501(c)(3) Florida nonprofit and the official Community Partner for Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library in Lake County. While families receive a monthly gift of a free book, the program relies on community support to fund it. Every $36 donated sponsors one child for an entire year — delivering 12 books directly to their home. Debi began her community work long before launching the program locally. With years of involvement in literacy efforts and local libraries, she saw a clear unmet need: many families who could benefit most from early reading support were not being reached through traditional channels. “The libraries in Lake County offer many great programs, yet we’re still missing a significant part of the population,” Debi says. “If people don’t read, their go-to isn’t the library — it’s the mall, the movies, or somewhere else. There are families who would never think to visit a library, and barriers like working multiple jobs and lack of transportation make it even harder. With the Imagination Library, enrolled children accumulate a personal library of up to 60 books they never have to return — building confidence, joy, and a foundation for lifelong reading and learning.” Read the full story here: vist.ly/4w4e6

Amanda McClea wins Lady Lake City Commission Seat in Special Election Amanda McClea has been elected to the Lady Lake City Commission, winning a three-way special election for the Ward 2 seat Tuesday night. According to unofficial final results, McClea received 77 votes, or 50.66%, securing a majority of ballots cast. Maggie Geraghty finished second with 44 votes (28.95%), followed by Jason Accurso with 31 votes (20.39%). Amanda, who helped spearhead the installation of a Safe Haven Baby Box in Leesburg that was revealed earlier the same day, now steps into elected office following her community leadership efforts. She will serve as the Ward 2 commissioner, joining the Lady Lake City Commission at a time when the town continues to see growth and increased community engagement. Congrats!

Leesburg Installs First Lake County Safe Haven Baby Box ❤️❤️ City leaders, first responders and community members gathered on Tuesday to dedicate a new Safe Haven Baby Box in Leesburg, marking a major step in expanding resources for parents in crisis and protecting newborns. The installation is the first in Lake County and 17th in the state. The project was led by the Amanda McClea, president of the Leesburg Sunrise Rotary Club, which began planning the initiative three years ago as part of a focus on maternal and child health. “This is such an exciting day for a lot of us,” Amanda says. “We’re honored to stand alongside our first responders, our community leaders and all of the supporters who have made this a life-saving resource a reality.” Leesburg City Commissioner Alan Reisman reflected on the timeline to bring the project to completion. “It’s a day that took 938 days to come to fruition,” Reisman says during the ceremony, recognizing the work of city staff, first responders and partners who helped make the installation possible. Leesburg Mayor Allyson Berry thanked donors and community partners, noting the broader impact the program could have statewide. “I look forward to having this blessing and look forward to, hopefully, one day, having one in every one of our fire stations in the state of Florida,” she says. The baby box is a secure, climate-controlled device installed Leesburg Fire Station 61 on Canal St. near downtown. When an infant is placed inside, an alarm immediately alerts first responders, ensuring a rapid and compassionate response. Read the full story here: vist.ly/4vzsz