series

One novel becomes a series

Three years ago, Ron Miller awoke at 3am and began writing his first novel. An Army veteran, Ron Miller spent 27 years serving during the Vietnam and Desert Storm eras with extended time in Germany. But it was in California…

CITY SERIES: The Towns of South Sumter — Bushnell, Center Hill, Croom-A-Coochee, Lake Panasoffkee, Sumterville, and Webster

Driving along the Scenic Sumter Heritage Byway may seem like you are on a road to another time, another place. The country roads reflect Florida’s past way of life when fishing, farming, and knowing your neighbors were the norm. STORY:…

CITY SERIES: Fruitland Park — The Friendly City

Driving along the U.S. Highway 27/441 corridor that dissects a good portion of Lake County, it’s easy to miss the small city of Fruitland Park. If you’ve visited Lake Griffin State Park, though, you’ve been to one of Fruitland Park’s…

CITY SERIES: Umatilla — Nature’s Hometown

Most people cruise through Umatilla on the way to the Ocala National Forest or Alexander Springs without stopping. Venture off the State Road 19 corridor, though, and you will find a unique town with lots of civic pride and a…

CITY SERIES: The small towns of South Lake — Mascotte, Groveland, Minneola, and Montverde

Look beyond South Lake’s largest city, Clermont, and you’ll find small towns where a slower pace and friendly neighbors are the norm. story: Gary McKechnie / photos: Fred Lopez + Matthew Gaulin There aren’t many places in Florida where you’ll…

CITY SERIES: Clermont — Gem of the hills

Clermont is a city with many faces. If you view the thousands of rooftops from the Highway 27 or Florida Turnpike interchanges, it appears to be a bedroom community for commuters into Orlando. If you exit Highway 27 and go…

CITY SERIES: Lady Lake — Town of Lakes and Sunshine

The mention of Lady Lake to non-Floridians most likely conjures up a picture of sunshine glistening on a serene lake surrounded by beautiful trees. And that image isn’t too far from reality. Lady Lakers indeed have lots of lakes and…

CITY SERIES: Leesburg — The Lakefront City

Since the 1800s, people have been arriving in Leesburg and discovering a warm and welcoming city. For many, it became their next hometown. story: Leigh Neely photos: Fred Lopez Back in 1857 when Evander Lee first came to what is…

CITY SERIES: Eustis — America’s Hometown

History, arts, entertainment, and progressive ideas draw people to the lakeside city of Eustis. STORY: Mary Ann DeSantis // PHOTOS: Fred Lopez “Sometimes you want to go where everybody knows your name, and they’re always glad you came.” The song…

CITY SERIES: Tavares, America’s Seaplane City

The City of Tavares is like the children’s story, “The Little Engine That Could.” Instead of one mountain to climb, the city had several, but the power of positive thinking among city leaders transformed a non-descript and economically challenged county…