Author Archives

Theresa Campbell

Originally from Anderson, Ind., Theresa worked for The Herald-Bulletin for many years. After experiencing a winter with 53 inches of snow, her late husband asked her to get a job in Florida, and they headed south. Well known in the area, Theresa worked with The Daily Sun and The Daily Commercial prior to joining Akers. “I finally have my dream job. I’ve wanted to work for a magazine since I was a teenager, and I’m very excited to be here,” Theresa says. “There is such positive energy at Akers that it’s infectious.” Theresa has three grown daughters—Julia lives in San Francisco, Emily is in Seattle, and Maria in Orlando.

Meet a Villager: Carol Greenfield

“Tree” grows, branches out in The Villages. Photos: Nicole Hamel The Villages Musical Theater Company co-founder Carol Greenfield was directing “The Producers” when the show came to a halt—right before the curtain opened. “The first show went beautifully, the second…

Healthy Inspiration: Sister for Bailey

Abbotts open hearts & home to another girl with Turner syndrome. Photo: Nicole Hamel Ashley Abbott and her husband Chet talked about expanding their family through adoption, and once the Oxford mother saw a little orphan girl online with Turner…

In the Kitchen: Breaking bread

Chef Gary Appelsies: ‘Cooking for people makes my heart sing. I love how it encourages conversation among strangers, helps people become friends.’ Photos: Nicole Hamel There’s something heavenly about savoring a delicious meal to the last crumb, and for Gary…

Fork on the Road: Summertime on a bun

Let’s Do a Maine Lobster Roll brings tasty New England coastal food classics to Lake County. Photos: Nicole Hamel Sweet, delicate, chilled chunks of lobster—the delicious delicasy from Maine—lightly tossed with mayonnaise is the star of the Maine lobster roll,…

Final Thought: A special mentor

Remembering my late friend, who survived the Spanish flu and lived to 108. When COVID-19 broke out, I immediately recalled stories I heard from the late Leonard McCracken, a survivor of the 1918-20 Spanish flu pandemic who lived to age…

Healthy Inspiration: Positive attitude

Teen confronts polyarticular juvenile arthritis with an autoimmune disorder head on by living a healthy lifestyle. Photo: Nicole Hamel Olivia Howard, 16, of Grand Island, is upfront sharing what it feels like to have polyarticular juvenile arthritis with an autoimmune disorder,…

Spirits: Cold and Bold

Mystic Ice Cream constructs alcohol-infused creamy concoctions while building relationships. Photos: Nicole Hamel It’s hot. It’s August, the infamous dog days of summer. A time of the year when a scoop or two of cold, creamy, made-from-scratch delicious ice cream…

Teens chosen to reign as queens of Lake County Fair in April 2021

Giulia Manco and Iayanna Jenkins have been chosen as queens to reign as Teen and Miss Lake County Fair, even though the popular fair isn’t slated to take place until April 8-17, 2021. During the 24th annual pageant hosted July…

Mount Dora sailor serves in the Philippine Sea

Aviation Machinist’s Mate Airman Alex Embree, of Mount Dora, takes great pride working onboard the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN 68) while he has been stationed with the U.S. Navy for the past year and three months. The USS Nimitz…