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Chris Gerbasi

Chris Gerbasi has been a journalist for more than 30 years, writing and copy editing for newspapers and magazines throughout Michigan and Florida, and covering everything from city hall to spring training.

Renovated Saddlebrook Rec Center ready for unveiling

What's Going On | July 25, 2017

Villagers love ribbon cuttings—they can’t pass up a photo op—and they’ll get to enjoy another one this week. The grand reopening of Saddlebrook Recreation Center is scheduled for 10am Friday, July 28, at 3010 Saddlebrook Lane, The Villages. The ceremony, which is open to the public, will include the ribbon cutting and tours of the refurbished facility. One of the older recreation centers in the…

Tickets on sale for talent show fundraiser in The Villages

What's Going On | July 25, 2017

Villagers are coming together to offer their time, build good relations, and create a fun community spirit, all for a good cause. Tickets are now on sale for the iSparkle Got Talent Fun’draiser, scheduled for 7pm Sunday, Aug. 20 at Lake Miona Recreation Center, 1526 Buena Vista Blvd., The Villages. Tickets cost $16 and can be purchased by contacting organizer Rosemary Ahrens at 352.205.4892 or sparkleteamcoord@gmail.com.…

Clermont police identify suspect in flasher case

What's Going On | July 21, 2017

UPDATE: Clermont police on Friday obtained a warrant for the arrest of Jon Paul Navarro, 32, who is accused of exposing his genitals to a woman around 5:20pm July 15 in the parking lot of BJ’s Wholesale Club, 2577 S. Highway 27, according to a police news release. The victim was loading groceries in her car when Navarro (pictured in 2009) pulled up behind her…

Every dog has its day

What's Going On | July 19, 2017

Get out the grill and don’t forget the chili. Today is an all-American day. The National Hot Dog and Sausage Council (in bipartisan decision-making at its best) has designated today, July 19, as National Hot Dog Day and July as Hot Dog Month. Random designations by muckety-mucks mean bargain food for the rest of us at participating locations: Burger King is selling classic grilled hot…

Surf’s up at The Sharon

What's Going On | July 14, 2017

Beachwear may not be the usual attire at the Sharon L. Morse Performing Arts Center in The Villages, but it might fly when Frankie Avalon appears there. The singer and king of 1960s surfing films like “Muscle Beach Party,” “Beach Blanket Bingo,” “How to Stuff a Wild Bikini,” and “Ghost in the Invisible Bikini” is making a return appearance at the venue, according to thesharon.com. If only his…

Keep Lake Beautiful volunteer earns Youth Champion Award

What's Going On | July 10, 2017

Rachel Clark personifies the mission of Keep Lake Beautiful: to beautify Lake County by engaging the community. Rachel, who recently graduated from Mount Dora High School, coordinated a lake cleanup for her classmates this year in conjunction with Keep Lake Beautiful and Lake County’s Adopt-a-Lake Program. For her work, Rachel received the Outstanding Youth Champion Award from Keep Florida Beautiful, of which Keep Lake Beautiful…

Clermont police investigating series of business burglaries

What's Going On | July 6, 2017

Burglars targeted four Clermont businesses in rapid succession in the early-morning hours Thursday, July 6, according to police. Cash registers containing unknown amounts of money were taken or emptied at three of the four locations. Police believe 11 men and three vehicles were involved in the crimes, and determined that one of the vehicles was reported stolen out of Orange County, a news release states.…

Savannah Center is flashback central for classic rockers

What's Going On | July 5, 2017

Turn the lights down low, turn the lava lamp on, and tune in to your 1960s and ’70s adolescence at the hippest place in The Villages…Savannah Center? In the coming months, the venerable recreation center will become hippie heaven for classic rock and pop lovers. Brace yourself for these musical flashbacks: The 5th Dimension, Aug. 21. Mitch Ryder & the Detroit Wheels, Sept. 25. Spencer…

Paving the way to tech’s future

Features | July 1, 2017

The Florida High Tech Corridor connects counties, including Lake and Sumter, to resources to maximize their technological development. Lake and Sumter counties are trying to stake their claim in the still-evolving economy of technology, as a giant network guides a large swath of the state toward growth in the industry. The Florida High Tech Corridor spans 23 counties banding together in an economic development…

A human touch for robots

Local Talent Profile | July 1, 2017

Student Justin TenEyck is driven to succeed in technology. People aren’t robots. But, can robots be like people? Justin TenEyck would like to find out. The 18-year-old just graduated from Lake Minneola High School, where he was president of the Nerds of Prey robotics team. He plans to study computer engineering at the University of Central Florida and then start his own robotic technologies company,…