According to the Mayo Clinic, honey can help with cardiovascular disease, cough, gastrointestinal issues and neurological disorders like depression or memory loss. And medical-grade honey can promote wound-healing, particularly on burns. Support local honey producers Costa Honey Farm, producers of fresh, non-GMO honey, now available at Lane Lynn inside the Lake Square Mall. 

If you like to gamble, Oxford Downs Poker Room is open for you 24 hours a day. Oxford Downs offers weekly tournaments featuring Vegas style poker, pai gow, Texas Hold’em, High Card Flush and more. Larger tournaments are announced each month. Between games, step outside to the tiki bar and watch sports on multiple screens while enjoying a beverage or freshly prepared bar food. For more information on schedules and rules, go to betoxford.com

Epic Theatres in Mount Dora will be the site of the 18th annual Central Florida Film Festival on January 19-21. Attendees will enjoy networking opportunities, panel discussions, screenings and an award show with special guest presenters. Meet and mingle networking functions will also be held each night in the filmmaker lounge at the festival theater. An all-access pass will allow participants to enjoy the nightly cocktail networking mixers and the Sunday night awards ceremony. For more details and tickets, visit Filmfreeway.com  

The Florida Storytelling Festival is returning to Lakeside Inn, 100 Alexander St., Mount Dora, for a three-day event January 25-28. The nationally recognized festival is noted for its unique workshops, concerts, youthful voices, and sense of community. The festival is intended for those interested in exploring and savoring the art of storytelling by listening to featured storytellers, informative workshops and opportunities for telling your own story. For more information, including the event schedule, visit flstory.com. 

City of Clermont officials say, “No green space to plant your favorite winter vegetable? No problem!” Residents are invited to rent a garden bed or a hydroponic tower for just $30 per year at the Clermont Community Garden located at the Clermont Arts & Recreation Center, 3700 S. Hwy. 27, Clermont. To apply or for more information call 352.708.5998 or visit clermontfl.gov/256/Clermont-Community-Garden. 

You must admire their ingenuity and determination, but ants are just a nuisance. In Florida, the non-native ghost ant is a pest for thousands of households. These tiny critters have an affinity for easily accessible food and water sources. According to Native Pest Management, here are some tips to say goodbye to the colony:

• Use baits; the ants take the goop back to the nest. 
• Seal entry points. 
• Clean dishes and kitchen surfaces often. 
• Put away pet food.
• Be persistent. 
• If all else fails, call a pro.

Local entertainer Mark Raisch sings his heart out for restaurants, country clubs and private parties. From Sinatra and Bublé to Elvis and Bobby Darin, this soulful singer takes the audience on a journey of jazz, soul and rock ‘n’ roll. Check out his calendar at marksings.com. 

 If you are trying to stay dry for January and are bored with nonalcoholic wine and beer, try handmade NA spirits from Seedlip! The spirits are sugar-free and contain zero calories. The three flavors are: 

• Seedlip Grove 42 (orange, lemon peel, lemongrass, ginger)
• Seedlip Garden 108 (peas, rosemary, thyme, spearmint)
• Seedlip Spice 94 (allspice, cardamon, cascarilla and citrus) 

For the perfect winter cocktail, mix Spice 94 with cold-brew espresso and simple syrup. Shake and strain into a martini or coupe glass. The mixers can be found at Bless Wine Spirits Cigars, 2575 Hwy. 50, Ste. 3, Clermont, Pepe’s Cantina, 794 W. Minneola Ave., Clermont, and at CVS and Walmart stores.

The Leesburg Police Department has a new weapon to fight crime. MRAP is a mine-resistant ambush protected vehicle. According to LPD Captain Joe Iozzi, the stripped-down, modified rescue vehicle was obtained through the Federal Government’s 1033 surplus program that was started under the Obama administration. Work and paint were donated by local businesses and modifications were done by Beverage Body & Trailer Service. MRAP is a working vehicle that requires training to operate, and a source of pride for LPD.