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

Sensei of swim

Failure’s not an option when Don Sheppard helps seniors drown their fears. After 26 years working for the U.S. Defense Department, Don Sheppard the retiree is taking the offensive. His battleground: the swimming pool. The enemies: fear of water and…

Meet a Villager: Hail, Nero

You know him, you love him, you live with him. The Villages paid a pretty penny to bring two-time Grammy Award winning pianist/composer Peter Nero to The Sharon five years ago, but the booking more than paid for itself. Peter,…

The loneliest man

The short life and untimely death of a NASA whistleblower. Neil Armstrong would never have declared “one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind,” on July 20, 1969 if fellow astronaut Roger Chaffee hadn’t shouted, “We’ve got a…

Final Thought: Not so close encounter

Call me crazy, but I saw…well, something. Illustrations: Megan Mericle The luminous round object appeared to be massive, at least as long as a football field, as it hovered in one spot, pulsating red and blue lights outlining the bottom…

To air is human

The Villages Balloon Festival offers much more than colorful aircrafts. Photos: Nicole Hamel The star performers at The Villages’ next big event will be full of hot air. More than a dozen magnificent, radiantly colorful aircrafts will be the featured…

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,…