Author Archives

Gary Corsair

Akers Media Group's Executive Editor Gary Corsair began writing professionally while attending high school in Greentown, Indiana. He's spent most of the past 46 years in writing, reporting, editing and producing roles for newspapers, magazines, TV, and radio. He's served as publisher and editor of three newspapers, TV news director, and executive producer of two documentaries about The Groveland Four. Gary’s earned more than 65 awards for journalism excellence and is the author of Legal Lynching: The Sad Saga of the Groveland Four and 'Cats With 12 Lives, the story of the 1964 State Champion Wildwood Wildcats. He and Gwen, his wife of 41 years, moved to Florida from Indiana 28 years ago. He can be reached at: gary@akersmediagroup.com

In the Kitchen: Cooking Classics

Legendary chef Josh Oakley gets rowdy in the kitchen, says you can too. Photos: Nicole Hamel Josh Oakley’s tenure as Lake County’s top chef was like a butane cooking torch caramelizing sugar atop crème brûlée – blue-flame hot, bubbling with…

My First Time: Phil Stokes

Safe danger at 40 mph 100 feet off the ground. Photo: Nicole Hamel I wanted to do something that’s not necessarily jumping out of a plane, but still getting my feet off the ground to an extent. The safest route was…

Meet a Villager: Betty Eich

Photography of globetrotting former teacher reveals educated eye. Photos: Nicole Hamel Vital Stats Oldest of seven children. Born and raised in German-speaking household in Freistadt, Wisconsin. Former teacher and school administrator. Lives in Village of La Reynalda. Who are you?…

Skin in the Game

Lori’s spent her life helping innocent animals, now she needs our help. Photos: Nicole Hamel There is no nice way to say it. Dogs die because most so-called animal lovers don’t lift a finger to help people like Lori Mastrantoni,…

Entertainment: Paul Barry Can’t Be Tamed

Singer on acclaimed record keeps reinventing his rock ‘n’ roll self. Charlie Ryan rode to rock ‘n’ roll stardom in his Hot Rod Lincoln. Jackie Brenston motored there in a Rocket 88. The Beach Boys rolled in their Little Deuce…

Great Wait Debate

Freestanding Emergency Rooms are hot health care trends. William H. Johnson was cheering his beloved Wildwood Wildcats when white-hot pain shot up his left arm, his chest tightened, and he crumbled onto the Carter Field bleachers. Helpers quickly rushed to…

Up in smoke

Yes, vaping is better for you than cigarettes, but… Christina Page recently joined 11 million American adults who use electronic cigarettes…and she’s wondering if she made the right decision. “I’m concerned about the health aspect. I’ve been researching it, but…

Entertainment: End of a reign

Katie Belle’s was quite a gal. Elegant and refined, as welcoming as a lonely innkeeper. Katie Belle was the undisputed queen when she appeared in The Villages 22 years ago, back when County Road 466 was two lanes and there…

EDITOR’S LETTER: Homeless need Hand Up, not Handouts

Have you ever given money to a homeless person? Handed food to an obviously down-and-out soul standing on a park bench or street corner? Yeah, me too. We were wrong to do so. So said nationally renowned homelessness expert Dr.…