The Lake County Board of County Commissioners appointed Lady Lake Mayor Ed Freeman to the Keep Lake Beautiful Advisory Committee, which advises commissioners on activities related to the county’s participation in Keep America Beautiful. Keep Lake Beautiful is an affiliate of Keep America Beautiful, Inc., a national non-profit organization that builds and sustains vibrant communities by creating clean, beautiful public places, reducing waste and increasing recycling, generating positive impacts on the local economy and inspiring generations of environmental stewards. 

What goes better with hot summer nights than cool rides? Let a cruise through the displays of classic cars bring back old memories or help you make new ones at Spanish Springs Town Square from 4-10pm July 20. Enjoy eyeballing automobiles 30 years and older in addition to free live entertainment. For more information, visit carsandcoffeeevents.com/event/the-villages-classic-car-cruise/2024-07-20/

According to the National Day Calendar, July is National Cell Phone Courtesy Month. Considering findings from a recent Pew Research Study that says 97 percent of Americans own a cell phone, it’s crucial to follow key phone etiquette rules. These include silencing your phone in public, stepping away for calls and monitoring your voice volume, not using your phone while driving and not letting it replace social interactions or enjoying your surroundings. Additionally, hide your phone when with others and pause before sending texts, emails or posting on social media.

The summer sun can be brutal. It doesn’t take much to turn your skin from golden-bronze to lobster-red. The American Academy of Dermatology recommends drinking plenty of water to avoid dehydration caused by a sunburn. Cool baths can help relieve the burning sensation, and moisturizers containing aloe vera or soy may help soothe your skin. If the sunburn is extremely painful, you can take ibuprofen, which can also reduce swelling and redness.

Leesburg High School student leaders had the opportunity to participate in “Spark,” a leadership development program created for them by the Leesburg Area Chamber of Commerce. Chamber officials say their goal was to ignite our leaders of tomorrow and promote Leesburg and Lake County opportunities and their successes. The program was organized as five separate day trips/sessions in Leesburg and Lake County during the school year.

 July 15 is National Give Something Away Day and donating your stuff just became easier thanks to a new partnership between Goodwill Industries of Central Florida and Resupply, a veteran-owned and operated company that provides pick-up services for furniture, appliances and other home goods (for a small donation). Call 407.857.0659 to schedule a pick-up or visit www.goodwillcfl.org. 

As summer heats up, we can expect temperatures in Central Florida to reach over 90 degrees outside and up to 123 degrees in a car. That kind of heat can cause wine to oxidize, so proper purchase, transport and storage is key If you live in the Sunshine State, especially if you can’t afford a sophisticated wine cellar. According to Michael Huey, owner of Two Old Hags Wine Shoppe in Leesburg, the following tips can help keep your vino fresh and drinkable:

Purchase your wine from a reputable wine purveyor.

Avoid direct sunlight.

Avoid temperature fluctuation.

Keep your bottles indoors. 

White wine should be stored at temperatures between 44 and 55 degrees. Red should be stored at 63 degrees.

Has your jewelry become dull or tarnished? Professional jewelers use high-frequency ultrasonic cleaners to jar dirt loose caused by prolonged contact with makeup, body oils, dust and pollution that make metals lose their luster. If you can’t get to the jewelry store, purchase a cleaning solvent like “Klean Karats” and use a bit of elbow grease. “Just use a little Dawn dish soap, then scrub with a tiny brush, dip into the solution and dry with a soft cloth,” says Sam Atwell of Coast to Coast Jewelers in Oxford. 

National Mango Day is July 22 and we’ve come up with a refreshing, healthy mango salsa recipe for you to try!

Ingredients:

3 mangoes, diced

3 jalapenos, de-seeded and diced (optional for heat)

2 cucumbers, de-seeded, peeled and diced

1 red onion, diced

1 bunch cilantro, finely chopped

1/2 cup fresh lime juice

dash of Kosher salt to taste

Mix in a large, cold stainless steel bowl and serve with blue tortilla chips, over grilled fish or in veggie cabbage wraps.