Pedestrian Tales From The Middle of the Road, #17 and #18

Man....after a brief pedestrian death hiatus, the Lord's calling folks home in two's! For the police on the scene to go with "they appeared to have beem drinking before the crash" without the benefit of any blood tests or breathalyzer readings, I'd say they found must have found some beer cans in the vicinity.

Yet another preventable tragedy- this one falling under the less-than-watchful eyes of Leesburg Police Chief William "Bill" Chrisman and Lake County Sheriff Gary Borders. Enforcement of our traffic laws is a great deterrent- and can save lives in a number of cases.

Word to the wise: if you're liquored up by 8 on a Thursday night, be sure to cross the street in a crosswalk.

May God give comfort to all three families involved here- the Wood and Wiggins families in their loss, and Mr. Strawder's in helping him cope with the accident.

Pedestrian Tales From The Middle of the Road, #17 and #18

Couple struck, killed while crossing Highway 441 in Leesburg

LEESBURG — Two people were struck by a vehicle and killed Thursday night while trying to cross U.S. Highway 441 in Leesburg, police said Friday.

The pedestrians, 49-year-old Daphne Wiggins and 57-year-old Toney Wood, both of Leesburg, appeared to have been drinking before the crash, Leesburg police said.

The couple was crossing the highway, also called East North Boulevard, near Mills Street and was not in a crosswalk when the crash occurred at 8:27 p.m.

The driver, John Strawder, a 67-year-old Belleview man, was driving a 2002 Lexus sedan northbound on the highway when he struck the pedestrians, police said. Strawder told police that he didn't see them until it was too late.

Both Wiggins and Wood died at the scene.

Pedestrian Tales From The Middle of the Road, #17 and #18

The Central Florida area is an ideal retirement destination with scenic landscapes and tranquil relaxation, close to nature yet still close to everyday conveniences. Highland Lakes in Leesburg, Florida is a gated 55+ community in Central Florida offering attractively priced homes in a scenic setting surrounded by seven small lakes and natural wetlands.

Built between 1990 and 1999, this completed Central Florida active adult community offers residents reasonably priced homes from below $100,000 up to the mid $200’s. Today, interested home buyers can select from well-cared for resale homes sized from 1,056 to 2,463 square feet. In total there are 938 homes in this completed 55+ community. Available floor plans feature either two or three bedrooms with two baths and garages to accommodate one to three cars. Many of the homes offer beautiful mature landscaping and special features such as screened lanais, patios or Florida rooms.

Residents of Highland Lakes enjoy a sense of privacy and security thanks to the gated entry. They also enjoy a wonderful collection of amenities designed to encourage an exciting active adult lifestyle. The community clubhouse features a fitness room, an indoor walking track, a heated indoor swimming pool plus plenty of lounge areas to relax with friends. A large multi-purpose room is perfect for club meetings or holiday parties while other areas are dedicated to a community library and billiard tables. There is also a fully equipped woodworking shop plus a craft room with kitchen facilities. Outdoors there are sports courts for tennis, bocce ball, horseshoes, shuffleboard and softball. Miles of trails wind throughout the community and seven sparkling lakes dot the community landscape. Residents use the lakes for fishing and even model sail boat races! Another homeowner perk is the free RV and boat storage available right on-site.

It’s easy to make new friends in this welcoming Florida 55+ community. There is a full-time activities director on-hand coordinating special events, daytrips, classes and activities. Over 50 special groups meet on a regular basis catering to a wide variety of interests such as bowling, line dancing, pickleball, cards, theater, quilting, yoga, travel, golf, bingo and more.

Highland Lakes offers a winning combination not often found in active adult communities. It features a private gated entry, budget-friendly homes, an active lifestyle and plenty of amenities plus has a welcoming neighborhood charm. The location is ideal too with Orlando nearby offering world class attractions, museums, shopping, dining and plenty of outdoor recreation.

For more information and photos of this and other FL active adult retirement communitiesplease visit 55Places.com. To stay in touch with us please join our Facebook page by clicking the Facebook link below.

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Arlington Ridge is a new active adult community in Leesburg, Florida. This D.R. Horton community opened in 2011 and is planned to have 629 homes upon completion. Buyers can choose from a nice selection of budget-friendly, single-family homes priced from the low $100’s to the high $100’s.

The homes of Arlington Ridge are set in an intimate town square setting complete with charming streetlights, scenic water features, community parks and picnic areas. There are two collections of homes available to choose from totaling 11 floor plans. Many of the homes offer golf course views. The home designs include two or three bedrooms, two-and-a-half baths and dens.

Amenities at this gated active adult community in Florida include a wide variety of facilities to encourage a physically fit and socially active lifestyle. A community cable channel keeps residents up-to-date on the latest community happenings and special events. The 18-hole championship golf course at Arlington Ridge is a highlight of the amenity package. Players also enjoy a full-service pro shop and a practice complex with a driving range and putting green. There are also three dining options to choose from including The Village Tavern, the O’Hare’s Pub and the Chesapeake Bay Grille restaurants. Golf carts are appropriately the preferred mode of transportation at this community.

Another unique community feature is the Fairfax Performing Arts Hall with seating for 750 plus a separate 50-seat movie theater. The Charleston Central Social Club is where residents come together to enjoy common hobbies in the various studios dedicated to arts and crafts. Arlington Ridge also offers a resort-style swimming pool and spa, tennis courts, bocce ball courts, horseshoes and pickleball courts as well as a unique organic garden. There is also a library, computer center, billiard tables, scenic lakes and miles of trails for walking or biking.

The lifestyle is especially exciting at Arlington Ridge Florida. Residents enjoy spending time with friends who share common interests and participate in a wide variety of special interest clubs. Some of the popular clubs cater to hobbies such as arts and crafts, performing arts, reading, cards, golf, line dancing, travel and singles.

The central Florida town of Leesburg is centrally located within easy access to boundless outdoor recreation and unique area destinations with Orlando just a half hour away. There is plenty to do right within the community itself and lots to discover in the surrounding areas making this an ideal Florida retirement destination.

For more information and photos of this and other FL active adult retirement communitiesplease visit 55Places.com. To stay in touch with us please join our Facebook page by clicking the Facebook link below.

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Located in the Central Florida town of Leesburg is the active adult community known as The Plantation at Leesburg. Built between 1993 and 2008, this 55+ community offers beautiful mature landscaping, well-kept homes and fabulous amenities.

The Plantation is a private, gated community of 2,820 single-family style homes. Today, interested home buyers can select from a variety of resale homes attractively priced from the low $100’s to the high $300’s. All of the homes are single-family style featuring first floor living in just over 1,300 to nearly 3,000 square feet. Many of the homes offer sought-after features such as 3-car garages, private swimming pools and scenic views of the golf courses or water features.

Amenities at this popular Florida active adult community include a wide variety of features to encourage a physically fit and socially active lifestyle. There are three spacious clubhouses offering nearly every amenity imaginable. Throughout the three facilities there are numerous outdoor swimming pools including one partially enclosed pool as well as two fitness centers, social spaces, a billiards hall and studios for arts, crafts and cards. Other features include sports courts for tennis, bocce ball, pickleball, horseshoes, softball and basketball plus miles of trails for walking or biking.

Golfers will particularly enjoy the two semi-private 18-hole championship golf courses at The Plantation Leesburg. There is a pro shop and PGA staff on-hand plus a full-service restaurant. Residents of The Plantation enjoy preferred golf rates and tee times.

To ensure residents have exciting activities to enjoy there is a full-time activities director. There are plenty of special interest clubs meeting on a regular basis as well as classes, seminars, special events, daytrips and much more. Some of the popular resident clubs highlight interests such as fitness, computers, dogs, astronomy, reading, cards, darts and model railroads. Over 100 clubs meet weekly at this exciting FL active adult community.

The Plantation at Leesburg is ideal for active adult living with plenty of amenities plus an attractive location. The heart of Leesburg is just six miles from the community and Central Florida offers dozens of lakes and marinas. The area is one of the fastest growing areas in Florida and is just thirty minutes from Orlando. Sandy Florida beaches are just an hour away and Ocala is also nearby. Residents enjoy the convenience of a complimentary shuttle service offering easy access to nearby amenities.

For more information and photos of this and other FL active adult retirement communitiesplease visit 55Places.com. To stay in touch with us please join our Facebook page by clicking the Facebook link below.

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Leesburg Christmas Parade Festival 2011

The holiday season is here!  If you are looking for a fun Christmas filled day, head down to Downtown Leesburg Saturday, December 3rd.  At 3 pm the 44th Annual Leesburg Christmas Parade Festival 2011 will get under way.  The Leesburg Christmas Parade Festival 2011 will be an excellent opportunity to make great holiday memories with your friends and family.

The afternoon will include live performances on the Town Square stage and rides for the children.  Plan to find your seat along Main Street by 7 pm to view the Leesburg Christmas Parade Festival 2011.  The "Let it snow!" themed parade will include carolers, marching bands, and festive holiday floats and currently has more than 90 entries.

To find out more about the real estate in Leesburg FL and the surrounding areas, contact Karen and Ray Levy of Coldwell Banker Camelot Realty at 352-636-6579 or visit our website. 

If you are looking to get out of the house a little earlier be sure to drop by the Towne Square stage for the Holiday Concert Series.  Performances begin at 9 am and are as follows:

• 9 am- Beverly Shores Elementary School
• 10 am- Leesburg Dance Center
• 11 am- Leesburg Elementary School
• 12 pm- Ja'Quan Foyd
• 4 pm-  Vaude Villains
• 4:45 pm- Dance Dynamix
• 5 pm- Leesburg High School Madrigals and Illusions Caroling
• 5:30 pm-  Clermont Academy of Dance

Be sure to stick around after the performances to watch the Leesburg Christmas Parade Festival 2011.

For more holiday fun, come back on Sunday, December 4th, to watch the Lighted Holiday Boat Parade.  Find your seat by 7 pm at Ski Beach by Venetian Gardens to see boats of all kinds adorned with holiday decorations.

Contact professional real estate agents Karen and Ray Levy of Coldwell Banker Camelot Realty at 352-636-6579.  Buying and selling a home can be complicated.  Our goal is to provide you with quality service while walking you through the process.

Leesburg Christmas Parade Festival 2011