Blog Posts - MOUNT DORA BUZZ

TOP 10 WALKING TRAILS IN LAKE COUNTY

8/28/2019

ABOVE: Palm Island Boardwalk, Mount Dora (Mount Dora Buzz photo)

The kids are back in school and now you can take some time back for yourself in the great outdoors. Here’s the top ten walking trails in Lake County to take in some nature and exercise. Who knows, you may enjoy them so much, you bring the kids on your next visits.

Hidden Waters Preserve, Eustis
Arguably some of the best trails in Lake County, this preserve offers various well-marked paths with small rolling hills, a hidden flowing creek, a large pond and plenty of gopher tortoises, water birds and butterflies. The blue markings keep you on the Lake Alfred Trail, which loops the lake and the red markings are for the Ravine Trail. Open 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. Located at 2010 Abrams Road in Eustis.
See 9 more trails

TOP 5 SMOOTHIE SPOTS IN LAKE COUNTY

7/1/2019

In search of something cool and refreshing to curb the sweltering summer heat? Smoothies are always a go-to beverage this time of year, but not all are created equal. Far from it. Here’s the top five smoothie spots in Lake County with a big selection of smoothies to keep you cool and healthy.

1) Health Basket
This health food store offers customers the option of creating their own smoothie, selecting one of the eight organic smoothies full of fresh fruits and vegetables, or selecting one of the four different performance smoothies that can assist with energy and post-work out recovery. The price of their small smoothie is $4.67.
Located at 18040 US-441 in Mount Dora.

2) Living Green Health Foods
This healthy eatery has dreamed up seven different smoothie options and customers can add various boosters and protein powders to cater to their diet or liking. The price of their small smoothie is $6.95.
Located at 353 Plaza Drive in Eustis.

3) Planet Smoothie
A popular smoothie franchise, features a category of smoothies called “Planet Light” with 20 options all under 300 calories. All are sweetened with Leanleaf, an all-natural ingredient that contains no sugar. A small “light” smoothie is $4.19, making it the most affordable of the options on the list.
Located at 15439-B US-441 in Eustis.

4) The Green Apple Health Foods
Organic is key at this health food store. It sells 10 different smoothie options made with fresh and organic produce. Customers have the choice of adding wheat grass, energizer, protein and mega-boosters that help with gut health by reducing inflammation and adding probiotics. The price of their small smoothie is $5.95.
Located at 175 S. Rolling Acres Road in Lady Lake.

5) The Life Center Café
The café gives customers the choice between selecting a protein or fruit smoothie. All smoothies feature natural ingredients and organic fruits and vegetables. A small protein smoothie is $6.50, and a small fruit smoothie is $5.95.
Located at 1705 E. Hwy 50 in Clermont.

“When looking for a healthy smoothie, try finding one with vegetables and whole fruit while trying to avoid added sugars or fruit juices,” said Candace Aurigemma, RD, LDN at AdventHealth Waterman in Tavares. “And if possible add a protein source like peanut butter, whey, hemp, or a pea protein supplement to keep you full longer.”

Sign up for the free Mount Dora Buzz' monthly updates here. For more news and events in Mount Dora, Tavares & Eustis, visit the area's website and download the area's free mobile app.

LOCAL "SAFE SITTER" CLASS TEACHES IMPORTANT SKILLS TO MIDDLE SCHOOLERS

6/1/2019

In an effort to improve child safety, AdventHealth Waterman is again offering a Safe Sitter® Class to prepare students in sixth to eighth grades important skills when supervising younger siblings alone or babysitting.

The instructor-led class uses fun, role-playing exercises to teach skills related to child care, safety, first aid, and general business practices. Students will practice diapering and learn tips to manage behavior that will help them stay in control of themselves and the children in their care. They will also learn to prevent unsafe situations and how to react when faced with dangers such as power failures or weather emergencies. The young sitters will also learn how to respond to injuries and illnesses, as well as choking rescue and CPR.

The class will also provide the students basic business skills focusing on how to responsibly screen jobs, discuss fees, and greet employers to set students up for success.

The class is offered June 26 or 27 from 8:30 a.m.to- 4 p.m.at AdventHealth Waterman, 1000 Waterman Way, Mattison Conference Room, Tavares. The class fee is $50 and includes a student handbook. Students should bring lunch. Space is limited and preregistration is required. Call 352-253-3391.

Sign up for the free Mount Dora Buzz' monthly updates here. For more news and events in Mount Dora, Tavares & Eustis, visit the area's website and download the area's free mobile app.

ADVENTHEALTH OPENS NEW PATIENT TOWER AND E.R.

5/1/2019

AdventHealth Waterman is celebrating the grand opening of its new four-story tower which completes phase one of its 111,000-square-foot, $74 million expansion. The new patient tower opens May 1 and is dedicated to expanded emergency care, women’s services, pediatrics and future growth.

The opening of the new tower increases AdventHealth Waterman from 269 beds to 287. The first floor houses the hospital’s new emergency department. The original ER space will soon undergo renovations as part of phase two of the construction project.

The second floor is a dedicated 24-bed women and children’s unit that includes includes gynecology, labor and delivery, post-partum care and inpatient pediatrics.

The third floor will soon be home to a brand-new healthcare service for the Lake County community that AdventHealth Waterman plans to announce at the grand opening. The fourth floor will be shelled for future growth since the structure supports a future expansion that could add two more floors, bringing the tower up to a total of six floors. Planning for future expansion is critical since the population of Lake County has grown by nearly 50 percent since 2000 and it’s expected to grow by another 12 percent over the next four years, according to 2010 US Census data.

When phase two is completed in November, the construction project will add a pediatric ER and increase the size of the emergency department, growing from 35 to 58 beds. This expansion project will also improve privacy and patient flow in the ER and add advanced technology for caring for children, seniors and heart attack patients, according to an AdventHealth press release.

The newly completed phase, located at 1000 Waterman Way in Tavares, was designed by Gresham, Smith and Partners of Jacksonville. Construction was completed by Robins & Morton of Orlando.

Based in Altamonte Springs, AdventHealth is a connected system of care with more than 80,000 team members. AdventHealth is one of the nation’s largest faith-based health care systems with nearly 50 hospitals and hundreds of care sites in more than ten states.

Sign up for the free Mount Dora Buzz' monthly updates here. For more news and events in Mount Dora, Tavares & Eustis, visit the area's website and download the area's free mobile app.

TOP 5 LOCAL ORGANIC BLUEBERRY FARMS

4/17/2019

Blueberry season has officially arrived and picking organic blueberries with family and friends in Lake County is a great way to stock up on the healthy superfood while enjoying the great outdoors.

Organic berries typically cost more per pound, but do not contain any pesticides which have been linked to cancer, reproductive and developmental health hazards, and neurological problems.

“Blueberries are a good source of fiber and polyphenols, both of which have been shown to reduce the risk of chronic diseases caused by oxidative stress” said Victoria Gerace, Dietitian Intern at AdventHealth Waterman in Tavares. ”In addition, ½ cup of blueberries contains 1/3 of the recommended daily vitamin C.”

Here’s the list of the top 5 best places to pick organic, pesticide-free blueberries.

1. Blueberry Bayou Farms-Yalaha, FL- 8222A County Road 48, Yalaha, FL 34797. Blueberry Bayou Farms is an organic farm located in Central Florida. The picking season is from now through the end of April or early May. The farm can also overnight blueberries to customer’s homes. Phone: (352)-324-4069.

2. Blueberry Hill Farm-Clermont, FL- 5000 Berry Groves Rd, Clermont, FL 34714. Blueberry Hill Farm offers 10 acres of USDA Certified Organic blueberries. Customers can sample the blueberries ahead of time to make sure they are completely satisfied. Pick is availble every Friday, Saturday and Sunday from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Phone: (863)-944-1401.

3. Grandda’s Garden- Sorrento, FL- 32307 Oak Bluff Drive, Sorrento, FL. Grandda’s Garden family farm is home to fresh and organic produce including ready-to-pick blueberries. They are open Monday through Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and Saturdays from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Phone: (903)-975-1049.

4. Heather Oaks Farm- Lady Lake, FL- 4240 Christmas Lane, Lady Lake, FL 32519. Heather Oaks is an independently owned farm. Phone: (352)-753-1184.

5. King Grove Organic Farms- Eustis, FL. – 19714 County Road 44A, Eustis, FL 32736. King Grove is an independently- and family-owned, organic farm. They are open every weekend through May 26, 2019. Buckets and picking bags are supplied by the farm. Phone: (352)-589-2469.

Sign up for the free Mount Dora Buzz' monthly updates here. For more news and events in Mount Dora, Tavares & Eustis, visit the area's website and download the area's free mobile app.

LOCAL CLASS EDUCATES DIABETICS ON SELF-MANAGEMENT

3/18/2019

The presence of diabetes in Lake County has been growing every year since 2002, and currently affects more than 13% of the community, which is higher than the state average.

Diabetes education plays an important role in helping patients with the disease improve their health and avoid potential complications. If unmanaged, diabetes can cause harmful complications such as heart disease, kidney disease, vision loss or stoke. Many of these complications are preventable with early diagnosis and self -management, according to the American Diabetes Association.

“Education is the most important tool we can utilize to help our community address this disease," said Candace Huber, AdventHealth Waterman director of mission development.  "With proper nutrition, medication, exercise and monitoring, patients can maintain optimal wellness and achieve a higher quality of life despite this disease.”

One in three U.S. adults have prediabetes, where blood sugar levels are higher than normal but not high enough to be classified as diabetes. With early self-management, the progression from pre-diabetes to diabetes can be delayed or prevented.

Anyone with pre-diabetes or diabetes is encouraged to join AdventHealth Waterman for a five-session Diabetes Self-Management course.  Classes are taught by a certified diabetes educator and professional health educator to teach understanding of diabetes, carbohydrate management, blood glucose monitoring, as well as meal and exercise planning. The course also covers managing and preventing complications and information on how making lifestyle changes can improve overall health.

The courses are every Monday from 10 a.m. to noon or 5-7 p.m., from April 1 to April 29 in the Conry Creation Health Center at AdventHealth Waterman, 1000 Waterman Way, Tavares. Tuition is $45 for this five-session course, including all materials. For more information or to register, visit www.ConryCreationHealth.com

For more news and events in Mount Dora, Tavares & Eustis, visit the area's website and download its free mobile app.  Free subscriptions to Mount Dora Buzz' monthly updates are available here.

ADVENTHEALTH ANNOUNCES GROUNDBREAKING OF NEW MOUNT DORA MEDICAL PLAZA

2/18/2019

AdventHealth will break ground on its newest Lake County project, a 22,260-square-footmedical plaza on U.S. 441 near the intersection of Wolf Branch Road in Mount Dora. The two-story $13 million medical plaza, located at 19735 U.S. Hwy 441, will be the first of its kind in Lake County. It will house eight primary care physicians and will provide convenient walk-in primary care and extended office hours. Read more

10 WAYS TO KEEP HEARTS HEALTHY IN LAKE COUNTY

2/15/2019

February is Heart Healthy Month and It’s no secret that regular exercise is a great way to improve and maintain a healthy heart.

Here are some fun local ways to break up the recommended 150 minutes of weekly exercise and squeeze some into your day:

During your lunch break, take a brisk walk along Palm Island Boardwalk and then to Lighthouse Point in Mount Dora.
Take in the sunset with a run, jog or walk in Wooton Park on the Tavares lakefront.
Take a Zumba or Spinning class at one of the area’s many gyms.
Throw the bike in the car and head to Mount Dora’s rugged mountain bike trail in Lincoln Park.
Swim laps in the public pool in Mount Dora or Eustis.
Starting at Evans Park, walk the hills in and around downtown Mount Dora.
Take a nature hike at Trout Lake Nature Center in Eustis.
Explore Venetian Gardens in Leesburg on a bike or on foot to find the purple gallinules.
Play a game of tag with your kids at Gilbert Park in Mount Dora.
Gather your family for weekly rides around your neighborhood; or explore new parks or bike trails.

So, go get active while enjoying scenic Lake County. If you need to connect with a local heart expert, you can connect with one here.

For more news and events in Mount Dora, Tavares & Eustis, visit the area's website and download the area's free mobile app. Free subscriptions to Mount Dora Buzz' monthly updates are available here.

CENTRAL FLORIDA'S COLD & fLU SEASON IS HERE

12/5/2018

The recent cool weather in Central Florida is wonderful for the holiday spirit and the many local festivities. However, it also signals the arrival of cold and flu season. Both illnesses share symptoms, making diagnosis difficult to decipher.

Dr. Devlin O’Connor, DO, a family medicine physician with Florida Hospital Medical Group, Florida Hospital Centra Care, explains the differences, what to do if you do fall ill, and when to see a doctor.

Bronchitis is inflammation of large air passages in the lungs. Symptoms include a dry cough that develops into a cough with mucus, wheezing, fatigue, chest tightness and a mild fever – often with chills. Acute bronchitis is contagious so washing hands and keeping them away from your face is important for prevention.

Flu is a contagious respiratory disease affecting the nose, throat and lungs. Symptoms –fever, chills, body aches, cough, and a lack of energy – last for a week or two. Severe cases may require hospitalization and can be fatal. The best prevention is a flu shot. Symptoms can be shortened with an antiviral medicine, which must be taken within 12 to 48 hour from the first signs of symptoms. A physician can determine if a prescription is needed and dispense medication onsite if appropriate.

Otitis Media occurs when the ear lining becomes swollen and fluid builds, causing ear pain and infection. Symptoms include: earache (a sharp, sudden pain or a dull, continuous pain), fever, chills, nasal congestion, a feeling of fullness in the ear, nausea, muffled hearing and ear drainage. Because of complications associated with ear infections, it’s important to see a physician to determine the cause. If it’s bacterial in nature, antibiotics may be needed.

Pharyngitis (sore throat) – inflammation of the pharynx – is common and often a symptom of an upper respiratory infection (URI). Sore throats can be caused by viruses and the streptococcus bacteria (also known as strep throat). Since symptoms of both are similar, a doctor will swab the patient’s throat to determine if an antibiotic is necessary. If it’s not strep throat, no antibiotic is needed, since antibiotics don’t kill viruses.

Sinusitis occurs when your nasal passages can’t drain due to inflammation. Many symptoms mimic the common cold. Oddly, sinusitis often starts as a cold, but the common cold typically runs its course in about a week. Sinusitis can last weeks or months if left untreated. It’s important to note that viral sinusitis is present with all colds, but a doctor’s diagnosis of sinusitis typically refers to that caused by a bacterial infection.

Upper Respiratory Infection (URI), also known as the common cold, is any infection of the head and chest caused by a virus. It can affect you in your nose, throat, sinuses and ears. The infection is spread when viruses are passed to others by sneezing, coughing, or touching something infected by another person.

WHEN TO SEE A DOCTOR

Temperature reaches 102°F or higher
Shaking/chills
Difficulty breathing/wheezing
Chest pain
Skin rash
Worsening sore throat
A cough that gets worse or becomes painful
Severe headache
Mental confusion
Blue or gray lips, skin or nails
Worsening earache

If you don't have a doctor, you can find a local primary care physician here.

For more news and events in Mount Dora, Tavares & Eustis, click here. To get the area's top stories in your inbox once a month, sign up for the free monthly issue of Mount Dora Buzz here .

PINK-OUT 5K FLOODS TAVARES' STREETS IN PINK

10/19/2018

Wooton Park in Tavares was a sea of pink on October 18 as warriors stepped up to support the fight against breast cancer. Every year during Breast Cancer Awareness Month the event raises money to help promote breast cancer awareness, diagnosis and treatment including mammograms for women in need. (see video)

For more news and events in Mount Dora, Tavares & Eustis, click here. To get the area's top stories in your inbox once a month, sign up for the free monthly issue of Mount Dora Buzz here .