By Akers Editorial
April 2025 Hit List
Hey Batter, Batter
April marks MLB’s opening day, once a big deal in Leesburg when Venetian Gardens hosted Spring Training for the Phillies and Pirates and housed minor league teams from 1937 to 1967. The city was home to the Leesburg Gondoliers, Anglers, Packers, Dodgers, Lakers, Braves, Orioles, and the 1966 Florida State League Champion Leesburg Athletics. Since 2007, the Leesburg Lightning has kept the American Pastime alive in the Florida Collegiate Summer League.
Namaste
April is National Stress Awareness Month and one way to manage stress is by practicing Yoga. This mindful exercise blends breathing and awareness with stretching. Find a yoga class near you.
Clermont
YogaSix / 2305 S. Hwy. 27
321.635.1707 / yogasix.com
One Yoga & Fitness Center
1214 Bowman St.
352.267.1531
oneyogafitness.com
Mount Dora
Mt. Dora Yoga
134 E. 5th St.
904.362.0177
mtdorayoga.com
Leesburg
Euphoria Yoga 107 S. 2nd St.
euphoriayogaleesburg.com
Oxford
Flip Your Dog / 352.782.8252
fydyoga.net
Tavares
Third Eye / 2042 Classique Ln.
352.422.7741
thirdeye-yoga.com
Locally on-line
R & R Yoga / 352.250.1722
terrisilipo.offeringtree.com
Blocking The Way
Have you ever wondered where the name “turnpike” for our toll roads came from? According to information found online, turnpikes were originally private roads in England that were literally guarded by men with pikes—long sticks that blocked passage—who would bar entrance until the toll was paid. After payment, the guards would turn their pikes aside and let motorists pass.
Oldie but Goodie
The Lake-Sumter State College Digital and Performing Arts Program is thrilled to present its spring musical: Singin’ in the Rain! Under the direction of Program Director Aspacia Lindstrom, the show follows the lives of Don Lockwood (Dylan Vanlandingham) and Kathy Selden (Hannah Pearson) in this beloved classic. Performances run April 24-26 and May 1-3 at the Clermont Performing Arts Center’s Blackbox Theatre, with showtimes at 6pm. Get your tickets now!
Life in Low Light
Having plants in your workplace boosts happiness and health by increasing humidity, improving air quality and removing pollutants like benzene and formaldehyde. Studies have shown plants reduce stress, enhance productivity, provide inspiration and help people overcome creative blocks. Plants also add bright colors and pleasant scents to stimulate your senses. Patty Gruber, owner of Cottage Garden in Wildwood, suggests these beneficial indoor-friendly plants:
- Peperomia
- English Ivy
- Pothos
- Parlor Palm
- Snake Plant
- Any succulent
- Red Chinese Evergreen
Honk Honk
The Florida Sandhill crane is a striking, year-round resident of Lake and Sumter counties that’s easily recognized by its tall stature and distinctive red crown. These beautiful birds that are protected under the U.S. Migratory Bird Treaty Act can be heard honking in the skies or while crossing the street in pairs so be careful! Mating for life, they return annually to the same nesting sites, where they lay eggs on floating vegetation in shallow waters.
Raising Funds for a Purpose
Congratulations to Grassy Lake Elementary School in Clermont for being the top fundraiser among Central Florida schools for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society in 2024. Second-grade teacher Shelli Mora has promoted the program at Grassy Lake for at least 15 years. Together, Grassy Lake families and employees have raised more than $70,000 over the years. Ms. Mora accepted an award on behalf of the school. On Facebook, Lake County Schools commented: “What an amazing achievement!”
Something Old, Some Things New
Webster, the oldest incorporated town in Sumter County (1855), has long been a center for agriculture and trade. Home to Florida’s largest and oldest flea market, the Sumter County Farmers Market, Webster has been drawing visitors since its establishment in 1937. What began as a simple farm trading post has grown into a bustling 40+-acre marketplace featuring antiques, collectibles, fresh produce, and more. Many local farm families continue to sell homegrown goods, preserving Webster’s rich agricultural legacy. Open Saturdays for produce and Mondays for the flea market.
524 N. Market Blvd.
352.793.2021
sumtercountyfarmersmarket.com
Smarty Pants
Lake Minneola High is now an AVID National Demonstration School. LMHS admins and teachers will share best practices with schools around the country on how to implement the college and career readiness program. Way to go, Hawks!
Eggs—ellent
Easter eggs symbolize new life and rebirth, aligning with both ancient pagan traditions of renewal and the Christian celebration of Jesus’ resurrection. Just as the egg’s shell represents the tomb and its cracking signifies new beginnings, the quality of an egg reflects its origins. Pasture-raised hens are free to roam and forage naturally so they produce nutrient-rich eggs with vibrant yolks and thick shells. Choosing pasture-raised eggs not only supports better nutrition and sustainability but also honors the deeper symbolism of renewal and a more natural way of life. For the best locally grown eggs, visit:
Lorena’s Farm Fresh Eggs
8200 Florida Boys Ranch Rd., Groveland
407.765.5885.
To order locally grown, farm fresh organic eggs for delivery, go to FloridaFarmDirect.com.
