Mount Dora, FL

Friends,

I will be attending the conference in Orlando and hope to meet some of the AR folks there. If you are planning on attending send me a quick note so I can look for you there.

Here are some of the main points of the conference:

• Discover how to identify what it is you really want, and permanently break through any barriers that might be holding you back.
• Dramatically increase your physical energy and mental clarity.
• Revitalize your relationships and inspire others.
• Infuse passion into every moment of your daily life.
• Master the principles of a vital, healthy life.
• Live life on your terms.

These are great opportunities to network while learning or re learning important skills.

BTW, as you know this is the selling season for many markets. We have noticed a sharp increase in the percentage of cash sales and inquiries.

Wishing everyone a strong finish to 2008!

Karen and Ray Levy

FKA Karen Hawkins

WWW.lakecountyhomepros.com

The time has come again for the Mt. Dora Annual Craft Fair. Admission is free- so bring the entire family.

All of the quaint shops and boutiques are awaiting your arrival. This is a great place to find unique Christmas gifts for friends and family.

There are amazing restaurants to try as well as dozens of food vendors serving up your favorite all-time festival dishes.

October 25th and 26th. City ordinance of no pets please.

Have a great time- hope to see you there!

The Ice House Theatre located in Mount Dora, FL opened its 2008-2009 season September 12 with Crimes of The Heart by Beth Henley, winner of a 1981 Pulitzer Prize and the New York Drama Critics Circle Award. The play centers around the three Magrath sisters; Lenny, Meg and Babe. Lenny is almost thirty with diminishing marital prospects, Meg is back in town after a failed singing career and Babe, the youngest is out on bond after shooting her husband because she doesn't "like his face."

Crimes of the Heart runs from September 12 thru October 5, 2008.

See The Orlando Sentinel Article.

The Ice House Theatre rounds out its 2008-2009 season with A wonderful Life (a musical adaptation of Frank Capra's It's a Wonderful Life.) The Underpants by Steve Martin, The Honky Tonk Angels, and On Golden Pond.

Get more information on the Ice House Theatre and its 2008-2009 season

Interested in buying or selling a home in northeast Lake County Florida, including Eustis, Mount Dora, Howey-in-the-Hills, Tavares and Sorrento contact JoEllen E. Stranger-Thorsen, REALTOR® for all your real estate needs. Visit my website.

Well, Ms. Fay lingered around a little long for me. I believe today was the 5th day that we have had constant rain in Florida. How dreary! I live in Florida for the warmth, wonderful sunshine and beautiful beaches. It definately ruins my daily activities to keep looking out the window and seeing rain, rain and more rain. Where I live did not get flooded like some of the surrounding counties but we have our fair share of puddles. It is kind of ironic that for almost the past year everyone, including a buyer I was showing many homes on lakes to, has been complaining how dry it has been and we need some rain. Well, here it is and now everyone is complaining we have too much! It never ceases to amaze me that people just have to complain- constantly.

I actually live in Mt. Dora which is a quaint, lovely city in Lake County. We have over 1200 named lakes- hence Lake County. It was a double nightmare dealing with Fay and school starting. My daughter, Tiffany, has been excited for the last 3 weeks to start 7th grade. So, she went to school on Monday.. was off on Tuesday and Wednesday, went back on Thursday and was sent home with a note to check a website later that evening to see if school was closed on Friday.. and it was. A little disappointed she was, however, she has a very positive attitude and concluded that it was like having 3 first days of school (butterflies and all) Monday, Wednesday and now Monday. I love her outlook- she makes me laugh all the time- even at inappropriate times.

Anyway- I have been at my office all week, weather and all. Surprisingly, we still had a decent number of calls. (Tornadoes are popping up and people are still driving around looking at for sale signs?) I love the city of Mt. Dora. My office is downtown which is a tourist getaway. We have great little shops and restaurants to enjoy. Sometimes I even hear the horsedrawn carriage outside that carries travelers around the streets. The streets are closed off many times throughout the year for art and music festivals and there seems to always be some type of dragonboat or sailboat race going on.

Anyway, I am not quite sure which direction I wanted to go with this, but I just wanted to give you all a little information about Mount Dora and let you know we are still kicking or should I say swimming down here!

I would have loved to have added some cute pics of Tiffany and Mt. Dora, however, still figuring out how to do all of that... if anyone has any ideas that could help me...next time. Thanks, Tina

Today I want to share someone who doesn't always get the recognition he deserves. Here is to Dr. Beau (Delaporte) our family veterinarian.

When I moved to Eustis about ten years ago I had three cats;

Abigail

Paisley

and Lost Kitty.

I had never found a vet I was completely comfortable with in Orlando so I was definitely in the market for a vet I could trust. (Abigail was 19, Paisley was 9 and Lost Kitty was of unknown age but she had been with me for 4 years.)

My first encounter with a Lake County vet was not good. I came home from work one day and Abigail was obviously ill. I took her to the only vet I could find open that night. That vet was not forthcoming and honest with a prognosis. I left his office that night with a very sick baby and no answers. I ended up waiting until the following morning to call my former vet in Lakeland to discuss the prognosis with him. As always he gave me sound advice and comforting words. Unfortunately Abigail died two days later.

I was determined to find a quality veterinarian immediately. I drove around and looked at offices and the people and animals coming and going. I decided to set up an appointment at Mount Dora Veterinary Clinic for the rest of the family.

I immediately knew I made the right choice when I met Dr. Beau. He had a great "bed-side manner." The last time Lost Kitty had been to the vet it had taken 45 minutes, 3 techs and those huge leather gloves to capture and give her shots. (I had been told by that vet I would need to sedate her prior to ever bringing her back.) With Dr. Beau she was an angel, not as much as a glare.

I like Dr. Beau so much that when my daughter was born and I didn't like the pediatrician I had initially selected I asked who he used for a pediatrician. My logic was Dr. Beau takes really good care of my four legged children and I am pretty sure he would demand just as much if not more for his own child. I was right, the pediatrician he recommended is top-notch but that is for another post.

Dr. Beau has seen my family through the unexpected death of Paisley, Lost Kitty's battle and death of tongue cancer and the new additions to our family of

Bart

Nicholas

Sidney

And last but not least, Rommel

Most recently he has helped our family adjust to Rommel losing his sight and the subsequent diagnosis of SARDs (Sudden Acquired Retinal Degeneration.)

Here's to you Dr. Beau and the entire staff of Mount Dora Veterinary Clinic. Thank you for caring for our family.

Interested in buying or selling a home in northeast Lake County Florida, including Eustis, Mount Dora, Howey-in-the-Hills, Tavares and Sorrento contact JoEllen E. Stranger-Thorsen, REALTOR® for all your real estate needs. Visit my website.