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Leesburg, FL
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Pest Ref Services, a Lake County business, is making a significant impact in the community, and its efforts are being recognized statewide.
Recently, Pest Ref Services received a Certificate of Appreciation from the Florida Pest Management Association (FPMA) for its volunteer service through the P.E.S.T. Responders program.
The P.E.S.T. Responders program brings together licensed pest control companies across Florida to assist individuals and families facing challenging circumstances. Families can receive professional pest management assistance through referrals from social workers, healthcare providers, schools, and nonprofit organizations, helping them restore safe and healthy living conditions.
As a participating company, Pest Ref Services generously donates its time, resources, and professional expertise to support families in need.
For this locally owned business, giving back is an integral part of its commitment to the community it serves.
Pest Ref Services operates on the guiding principles of “Leading, Loving, Local.” They believe that being a successful business goes beyond providing quality service; it also involves stepping up when others need help.
The recognition from FPMA underscores the vital role local businesses play in improving the lives of families throughout Florida.
Congratulations to the Pest Ref Services team on this well-deserved recognition and for their continued dedication to making a positive impact in the community!
Pest Ref Services
Making the Right Call for Your Home.
#LakeCountyFL #PestRefServices #CommunitySpotlight #SupportingLocal #GivingBack
ALT Two men in red shirts stand in front of trucks branded with pest control service logos.
ALT Certificate of appreciation presented to Pest Ref Services for service as a P.E.S.T. Responder, signed by Paul DiLorenzo and Derek Pumphrey.
South Lake Boys Soccer Aims to Build on Historic Regional Run ⚽
South Lake High boys soccer team from Groveland is entering the new season coming off the best year in school history. Earlier this year, the program, led by head coach Josh Castleman, finished 12-6-4. That included a deep postseason run. The Eagles captured the first boys soccer district title in school history before advancing through the playoffs all the way to the Regional finals, which was also a first in school history.
One of the defining moments last season came on the road against Niceville High. Against Niceville, ranked No. 1 in Class 6A, South Lake trailed 3-0 in the second half. The Eagles fought back to force penalty kicks, eventually winning in the shootout to advance. The Eagles followed that by defeating Buchholz on the road before falling 1-0 to Mandarin in the regional final, also on the road.
“We have a lot of returners this year and a few strong newcomers, so we have high hopes,” Coach Castleman says.
Read the full story here: vist.ly/5qcnq
ALT South Lake Boys Soccer Aims to Build on Historic Regional Run
Lake County Early Voters Weigh Governor Race, Amendment 3 🇺🇸
Voters who cast early ballots Friday at the Venetian Center at Venetian Gardens say no single issue, including the proposed statewide amendments, spurred their visit.
“We always vote,” many said. But that doesn’t mean they don’t have concerns.
“We voted for making some changes, state and national,” says Malcolm Cheney, who voted with his wife, Jacquelyne. They cite “corruption and affordability” as key issues.
One of the most talked about proposed changes across the state is Amendment 3.
It would increase the homestead property tax exemption for all non-school taxes to $150,000 in 2027 and $250,000 in 2028 and adjust for inflation after that.
County sheriffs have come out against it, saying it will result in budget cuts and reduced services for first responders.
Read the full story here: vist.ly/5qc7v
ALT Lake County Early Voters Weigh Governor Race, Amendment 3
ALT Person standing on sidewalk holding a re-elect sign for Leesburg City Commissioner.
ALT Yard signs for political candidates in front of a building and palm trees.
Spa Kingdom Celebrates 27 Years in Central Florida 🎉
For nearly three decades, Spa Kingdom has been helping Central Florida families relax, recharge and enjoy life at home. This December, the family-owned and operated company will celebrate 27 years in business—a milestone built on hard work, personal service and generations of family involvement.
The story began in 1999, when Larry and Beth Smith opened Spa Kingdom after moving their family from Connecticut to Florida in 1987. The original location was in the old Castle building on U.S. Highway 441 in Lady Lake, which has since been replaced by Wawa.
From those early days, Larry, Beth and their son Matthew worked together to build the business, combining a strong work ethic with attention to detail and a commitment to treating customers like neighbors.
Read the full feature here 👇
vist.ly/5q9fr
ALT Two people standing in a showroom beside spa equipment with business logos.
Cameron Thornton Makes the Jump to Lake Minneola Basketball 🏀
At 6-foot-2, Cameron Thornton is used to having a size advantage on the basketball court.
That changed when the 14-year-old shooting guard arrived at Lake Minneola High School this year.
“The biggest challenge was the transition from middle school to high school,” Cameron says. “When I got to middle school, all the people were shorter than me and not as strong. It was a big change coming into high school where they are all stronger than me.”
The adjustment has meant spending more time in the weight room while continuing to sharpen the skills that have been developing since he first picked up a basketball around age 4.
Read the full story here 👇
vist.ly/5q8kt
ALT Young basketball player posing with a basketball, background image of him in a jersey, text 'More Than a Game'.
ALT Two young basketball players in action near the hoop, one shooting the ball.
The 2026 high school volleyball season brought standout performances from athletes across Lake and Sumter counties, with players making their mark through powerful kills, key defensive plays and leadership on the court. From seasoned veterans to rising stars, these athletes helped lead their teams throughout the season. Lake & Sumter Style recognizes the area’s top performers with its 2026 All-County Volleyball Team.
From Chloe Looper at Tavares and Kinley Fickett at Umatilla to Camila Antonsanti at Lake Minneola, Kate Guthrie at Mount Dora and Bailey Hunt at The Villages Charter, local athletes made their mark on the court this season!
See the full list here: vist.ly/5q6ib
ALT Lake & Sumter Style 2026 All-County Volleyball Teams
ALT Volleyball team and coaches posing together in black uniforms on a gym floor.
ALT Volleyball player in purple uniform crouching on court.
ALT A coach with glasses and a clipboard stands in a gymnasium.
40 Over 40: Rick Rojas of RJ Builders 🎉
For Rick Rojas, building has never simply been a career. It’s been a lifelong passion that began when he was just 10 years old.
As owner and president of RJ Builders, Inc., Rick specializes in custom homes, commercial construction and land development. He says the greatest reward comes from turning a client’s vision into reality and watching families make those homes their own.
“I feel incredibly fortunate to have turned my lifelong dream into a career,” Rick says. “What I find most rewarding is creating quality homes and spaces that bring vision to life.”
Professionally, Rick is most proud of becoming the first builder in Lake County to receive first-place honors in the Parade of Homes six consecutive years from the launch of his company. Personally, he says giving back to the community where he grew up has been equally meaningful, particularly building two homes that benefited the Lake-Sumter State College Foundation and helped create opportunities for future generations.
Read the full feature here 👇
vist.ly/5q3rz
ALT Two people in business suits posed for a portrait with names Lisa and Rick Rojas.
Scott’s Roofing Builds on a 50-Year Family Legacy 🏠
For more than five decades, Scott’s Roofing has been a family business. But being family-owned means more than having the same last name on the company, it means each generation takes responsibility for carrying forward the reputation the generation before them worked so hard to build.
Today, siblings Tyler Scott and Sarah Scott Varnadore are doing exactly that.
As the third generation of the Scott family working in the business, Tyler and Sarah grew up around roofing. They watched their father, Tommy Scott, dedicate his career to serving local homeowners and building relationships throughout Central Florida. Now, they’re working alongside him while preparing for the day when their generation takes the lead.
Read the full feature here 👇
vist.ly/5q38p
ALT Two people posing by a turquoise truck with Scott's Roofing logo.
Teens Got Talent Showcase Gives Local Teens Their Moment to Shine 😎🔥
Nostalgia took home the prize, but the band’s win was one of many reasons to celebrate at Thrive Clermont’s inaugural Teens Got Talent Showcase.
The Oct. 22 event at the Clermont Performing Arts Center put local teens in the spotlight through music, dance, showmanship and visual art while raising money for Thrive’s programs in the coming year.
A collaborative effort between Thrive, the City of Clermont, Landi-Lou Talent Agency, South Lake TV and other event sponsors, the evening gave families and community members an opportunity to see what young people can accomplish with encouragement and support.
Nostalgia, whose members met through South Lake High School’s band program, earned the People’s Choice Award and $250 grand prize sponsored by the Harper Family Charitable Foundation.
For lead vocalist Alexia Paniagua, the win was an opportunity to celebrate the people beside her.
“I’m so glad that we all made it here tonight and were able to come together,” Alexia says. “I’m very proud of the work we all put it to make this happen.”
➡️Read full story here:vist.ly/5pznf
ALT Thrive Clermont’s Teens Got Talent showcase gives local teens their moment to shine
ALT A person performing an aerial pose on suspended equipment with purple lighting on stage.
ALT A band with a singer, keyboardist, drummer, and bassist performs on stage.
ALT People looking at artwork displayed on a table in a gallery.
At The Back Porch Mulberry, Customers Have a Say in What’s Cooking 🔥
When The Back Porch Mulberry opened in spring 2022, golf carts mounted on the walls and a bar that opened onto the patio helped introduce its personality. Learning the personalities of the people filling those seats has taken a little longer, but it has been worth it.
Owner Philippe Villain had his eye on the former Cody’s Original Roadhouse while it sat empty. Despite the challenges of opening after COVID, he saw promise in pairing a sports bar atmosphere with a scratch kitchen.
What he couldn’t know was how much his guests would help shape the restaurant.
“When I’m here, I try to get to every table and chat with our guests,” Philippe says. “This community is not shy about telling you what they want and it really helps me shape the menu.”
Read the full story here: vist.ly/5pzc5
ALT At The Back Porch Mulberry in The Villages, Customers Have a Say
ALT Plate with steak, gravy, mashed potatoes, and green beans.
ALT Bowl of mussels with lemon wedges and garlic bread.
ALT Prime rib with green beans, baked potato, butter, au jus, and sour cream on a plate.
Community Packs Stands for Leesburg High Centennial Football Game🙌🏈💯
Leesburg High School marked its centennial with a community celebration Friday night that stretched far beyond the final score. The Yellow Jackets ultimately fell to Gainesville High 26-6, but it was a game that doubled as a multi-generational reunion.
Former band members, cheerleaders, twirlers and other alumni spanning classes from the 1950s through the Class of 2026 returned to perform and reconnect under the Friday night lights. The evening highlighted the school’s 100-year history and its deep ties to the city.
Leesburg High School was established in 1926. For its first 42 years it served only white students. Following federal mandates for integration, African-American students who had previously attended Carver Heights High School down the street and Lake County Training School were reassigned to Leesburg High in 1968.
Carver Heights was converted into a middle school, a role it continues to fill to this day.
➡️Read full story here:vist.ly/5pwbr
ALT Three people smiling at camera, two with centennial T-shirts, outdoors.
ALT Football players and two elderly men pose together on a field at sunset.
ALT Woman cheerleader with glasses holding orange and black pom-poms, open mouth, on a sports field at night.
ALT Football game under stadium lights with players on the field and a crowd in the stands.
EmpowerU 1st Hosts Inaugural Leadership Summit for Girls 💗
The inaugural GLOW Girl LeadHERship Circle brought together young participants and community leaders for discussions on confidence, decision-making and personal growth.
EmpowerU 1st brought together girls ages 10 to 18, community leaders and professional women for its inaugural GLOW Girl LeadHERship Circle summit in October, a day of sessions, discussions and activities focused on leadership, confidence, character and wellness.
Founded by Shikita L. Hill, EmpowerU 1st aims to help girls build the confidence and character to navigate life’s challenges while recognizing the possibilities ahead of them.
Read the full story here: vist.ly/5pw3i
ALT EmpowerU 1st Hosts Inaugural Leadership Summit for Girls
ALT Four women on a panel discussion at the Glow Girl Leadership Circle with a screen in the background displaying the event logo.
ALT Smiling woman pointing upwards in front of two Glow Girl LeadHERship Circle logos.
For the first time in 18 years, the East Ridge High football team is district champion! 🏆🔥
The Knights held on for a hard-fought 21-14 win over Ocoee High, improving their record to 7-2.
Congratulations to the Knights on their district title! You should be proud! 👏💪
Photo: East Ridge High Athletics
ALT Group of football players and coaches posing on a field at night.
40 Over 40: Tanya Meyer of Hoffmeyer Animal Rescue 🎉
Tanya Meyer builds better lives by rescuing animals, connecting people with jobs and serving those too often overlooked.
For Tanya Meyer, success is measured in lives changed, whether they belong to animals in need or people searching for an opportunity.
The 55-year-old is the owner of Hoffmeyer Animal Rescue and president of ACE Staffing Unlimited Inc. She divides her time between volunteering daily at the rescue, caring for its most critical animals in her home and overseeing the administrative side of the staffing company.
“Saving animals and helping people who truly want to work find jobs are both so important to me,” Tanya says.
Read the full feature here 👇
vist.ly/5pudi
ALT Woman with long hair holding a small puppy against a black brushstroke with text.
40 Over 40: Steve Smith of New Beginnings of Central Florida 🎉
A chance encounter with a man experiencing homelessness helped send Steve Smith’s life in an unexpected direction.
After retiring from a successful corporate career and moving to Florida from Ohio with his wife, Linda, Steve met a local homeless man in 2007 who was looking for a new beginning through work and housing.
Steve says he quickly realized there were few local services available to help him.
“My wife, Linda, and I recruited other Godly people to join our journey to transform lives through a newly formed nonprofit: New Beginnings of Central Florida, Inc.,” Steve says.
Read the full feature here 👇
vist.ly/5pu4m
ALT Older man wearing blue suit and pink bow tie, text 'forty over 40' and 'Steve Smith'.
Eustis Middle Flag Football Advances to Championship Game 🔥🔥
The Eustis Middle School Mustangs are one win from a flag football championship after a 28-24 playoff victory over Minneola Charter.
Eustis Middle will face East Ridge Middle School at 6 p.m. Monday at East Ridge High School for the title.
The Mustangs finished the regular season 9-1 for the second straight year and won Lake County’s North Division. Last year, their championship hopes ended with a last-second playoff loss to Imagine Charter.
Twins Bryson and Jaxson Seward, nicknamed the “Terror Twins” by their coach, have led the offense. Bryson, the quarterback, has thrown 25 touchdown passes and run for 10 more with just three interceptions. Jaxson, a wide receiver, has scored 10 touchdowns receiving and rushing.
Read the full story here: vist.ly/5pt4a
ALT Eustis Middle Flag Football Advances to Championship Game
ALT Player jumping to catch a football while another player runs nearby on a grassy field.
ALT A football player runs on the grass holding a ball with another player on the ground.
ALT Team huddled with coach on a grassy field.
🏐🏆🧡🤍 THE ROAD TO STATE CONTINUES!
Mount Dora High School Lady Hurricanes are advancing to the NEXT ROUND of the FHSAA Volleyball State Championship Series!
After an exciting victory over New Smyrna Beach, the Hurricanes are ready for their next challenge against Bishop Moore!
🏐 MDHS HURRICANES vs. BISHOP MOORE, Saturday, October 24 at 2:00 PM
Bishop Moore High School
ALT Two female volleyball players shaking hands, one holding a ball.
ALT Volleyball players in action at the net reaching for the ball.
40 Over 40: Steve McDonald of the Realtors Association 🎉
Steve McDonald has built his career around helping others succeed.
As CEO of the REALTORS® Association of Lake & Sumter Counties, Steve leads the organization through advocacy, professional development and member services while ensuring local real estate professionals have the education, resources and representation they need to thrive. He says his greatest passion is helping people grow while serving as a trusted voice for the profession and private property rights.
Professionally, Steve is most proud of a career centered on education, mentorship and leadership. Before joining the association, he spent 13 years as a professor in the College of Communication at Lipscomb University, helping prepare the next generation of professionals.
Read the full feature here 👇
vist.ly/5prgb
ALT A man in a suit looking to the side with 'Steve McDonald' text overlay.
Marjorie Linder at 100: Faith, Family and Keeping Her Sparkle ✨
Born Oct. 5, 1926, Marjorie M. Linder is celebrating her 100th birthday and reflecting on a life filled with family, faith and cherished memories. Born in Ohio and raised in Greenville, South Carolina, Marjorie is a mother of four, grandmother of seven and has been married for 45 years.
Now living at The Harrison of Wildwood, Marjorie enjoys bingo and believes the secret to life is to look for the good things and never lose your sparkle.
At 100, she says she is grateful for the opportunity to continue sharing Jesus’ love with others.
Read more about Marjorie and the wisdom she’s gained over a century of life👇
vist.ly/5pqy3
ALT Elderly woman celebrating 100th birthday with confetti.
East Ridge QB Karon Palmer Jr. Leads Knights to 6-2 Start 🏈🔥
East Ridge High senior quarterback Karon Palmer Jr. has guided the Knights to a 6-2 record this season. He’s combining efficient production with steady leadership that head coach Donnie Burchfield says has helped shape a winning culture.
Through eight games, Karon has completed 68 of 119 passes for 1,171 yards and 15 touchdowns with just two interceptions. The dual-threat signal-caller has shown the ability to make plays with his arm and legs while protecting the football.
“Karon means a tremendous amount to our football program,” Burchfield says. “As our quarterback, he’s someone we depend on not just to make plays but to lead our team. He’s been an important part of building a winning culture at East Ridge. Having a young man who can lead on the field and represent our school the right way is something every coach appreciates.”
Read the full story here: vist.ly/5pqr7
ALT East Ridge QB Karon Palmer Jr. Leads Knights to 6-2 Start
ALT A football player holding a ball, preparing to throw on a grassy field.
ALT Football players in black and gold uniforms, holding flags, standing on grass.
ALT Football player in white uniform holding a ball on a field.