Best of January 2023
Marie Bogdonoff, left, CEO of Villagers for Veterans and resident of the Village of Pine Ridge, and Kathryn Wilgus, vice president of Villagers for Veterans and resident of Mount Dora, are working on opening “Ashley’s Cottage” in Fruitland Park to be a transition home for homeless women veterans. Photo taken on Jan. 3, 2023.
- Rachel Stuart / Daily Sun
Kathy Rocchio, left, of the Village of Bridgeport at Mission Hills, and Yvette Daoust, of the Village Rio Ponderosa, practice their archery skills on Jan. 4, 2023, with their compound bows at the Paradise Recreation archery range.
- George Horsford / Daily Sun
Jiyah Hamilton (2), center, of The Villages High School, shoots over Aniya Fields (22), left, after going past Macey Campbell (5), both of Leesburg High School, during basketball action on Jan. 6, 2023, at The Villages High School.
- Bill Mitchell / Daily Sun
Byron and Etsuko Walker, back kayak, of the Village of Tamarind Grove, along with Bob and Pat Heinlein, center kayak, of the Village DeLuna, and Pam Waller, front kayak, of the Village of Citrus Grove, look out over Lake Okahumpka during the Into to Kayaking event on Jan. 10, 2023, at Lake Okahumpka Recreation.
- George Horsford / Daily Sun
Ben Bellamy, right, of Wildwood Middle High School, goes for the shot against an attempted block from Kevin Shell, of Lake Weir High School, during the boys varsity basketball game on Jan. 11, 2023, at Wildwood Middle High School.
- Arianna Bennett / Daily Sun
Gary Nellans, left, of the Village of Fernandina, and Tony George, of the Village of Amelia, both of the Buffalo Booster Club, hold a signed Tre Mann Oklahoma City Thunder jersey and a University of Alabama basketball, where current Villages High School basketball player Sam Walters will attend. These, and other sports items, will be part of a Buffalo Booster Club auction set for Jan. 17, 2023, at The Villages High School.
- Bill Mitchell / Daily Sun
Rosie Campbell, left, of the Village DeLuna, and her pickleball partner, Nancy Summers, of the Village of Fenney, compete in the championship round to win the PCVG Women’s 3.5 pickleball tournament on Jan. 20, 2023, at Rohan Recreation.
- George Horsford / Daily Sun
Brooke Henderson, left, hugs her caddie and sister, Brittany Henderson, in celebration of her winning shot on the 18th green during the Hilton Grand Vacations Tournament of Champions on Jan. 22, 2023, at Lake Nona Golf and Country Club.
- Arianna Bennett / Daily Sun
Victor Garner, left, general manager who oversees the restaurant location, sits with Judy Puccio, of the Village of Summerhill, as she drinks coffee on Jan. 25, 2023, at Darrell’s Diner in Southern Trace Plaza. Puccio is a regular customer who typically eats at the restaurant every day.
- Rachel Stuart / Daily Sun
Brayden Wilkins, a kindergarten student at The Villages Charter Elementary School Primary Center, shows interest in learning about Stella, a dog owned by Village of Summerhill resident Christine Barnes, as part of the school’s literacy event with the Dynamic Dog Therapy Team on Jan. 24, 2023.
- George Horsford / Daily Sun
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Marie Bogdonoff, left, CEO of Villagers for Veterans and resident of the Village of Pine Ridge, and Kathryn Wilgus, vice president of Villagers for Veterans and resident of Mount Dora, are working on opening “Ashley’s Cottage” in Fruitland Park to be a transition home for homeless women veterans. Photo taken on Jan. 3, 2023.
- Rachel Stuart / Daily Sun
Kathy Rocchio, left, of the Village of Bridgeport at Mission Hills, and Yvette Daoust, of the Village Rio Ponderosa, practice their archery skills on Jan. 4, 2023, with their compound bows at the Paradise Recreation archery range.
- George Horsford / Daily Sun
Meg Weidenman, left, of the Village of Cason Hammock, and David Mack, of the Village of Hawkins, play pickleball on Jan. 4, 2023, at Ezell Recreation.
- Rachel Stuart / Daily Sun
Rod Nagy, left, of the Village of Pine Ridge, Bill Canna, center, of the Village of Gilchrist, and John Smith, of the Village of Hawkins, rehearse with the Rusty Rails on Jan. 4, 2023, at Ezell Recreation.
- Rachel Stuart / Daily Sun
The throw to Chris Schubert, left, playing third base for the Clippers, is not in time as Terry Jozefiak, playing for the Patriots, slides safely into third base on Jan. 4, 2023, at Buffalo Glen Softball Complex.
- George Horsford / Daily Sun
Bill Parker, president of the Sumter Landing Bicycle Club and resident of the Village of Gilchrist, rides with the group on Jan. 4, 2023, from the parking lot of Barnes & Noble in Lake Sumter Landing.
- Rachel Stuart / Daily Sun
Jiyah Hamilton (2), center, of The Villages High School, shoots over Aniya Fields (22), left, after going past Macey Campbell (5), both of Leesburg High School, during basketball action on Jan. 6, 2023, at The Villages High School.
- Bill Mitchell / Daily Sun
Lilly Goller (8), of The Villages High School, looks to control the ball during soccer action against Forest High School on Jan. 6, 2023, at The Villages High School.
- Bill Mitchell Daily / Sun
Breanna Evans (1), left, and Jayden Terry (11), right, both of Gainesville, try to block as Nia Haugabrook (22), of Wildwood, goes for a shot during the game on Jan. 6, 2023, at Wildwood Middle High School.
- Rachel Stuart / Daily Sun
Reenactors participate in the reenactment of the Dade’s Battle of 1835 on Jan. 7, 2023, at Dade Battlefield Historic State Park.
- India Pantin / Daily Sun
Reenactors participate in the reenactment of the Dade’s Battle of 1835 on Jan. 7, 2023, at Dade Battlefield Historic State Park.
- India Pantin / Daily Sun
Reenactor Matt Griffin rides in on a horse during the reenactment of the Dade’s Battle of 1835 on Jan. 7, 2023, at Dade Battlefield Historic State Park.
- India Pantin / Daily Sun
Mason Locke, 9, center, and Ryder Parry, 9, right, cheer on River Smith, 8, left, as he crosses second base during the Buffalo Stampeders spring travel baseball tryouts on Jan. 9, 2023, at The Villages High School.
- Arianna Bennett / Daily Sun
River Smith, 8, stretches during the Buffalo Stampeders spring travel baseball tryouts on Jan. 9, 2023, at The Villages High School.
- Arianna Bennett / Daily Sun
Byron and Etsuko Walker, back kayak, of the Village of Tamarind Grove, along with Bob and Pat Heinlein, center kayak, of the Village DeLuna, and Pam Waller, front kayak, of the Village of Citrus Grove, look out over Lake Okahumpka during the Into to Kayaking event on Jan. 10, 2023, at Lake Okahumpka Recreation.
- George Horsford / Daily Sun
Former Vice President Mike Pence, left, greets Renita Wessel, of the Village of Fenney, during a book signing on Jan. 10, 2023, at Ezell Recreation.
- Bill Mitchell / Daily Sun
Anthony Kizer, left, of Leesburg High School, attempts to block Alvon Issac, of The Villages High School, during the boys varsity basketball game on Jan. 10, 2023, at Leesburg High School.
- Arianna Bennett / Daily Sun
Sam Walters, right, of The Villages High School, battles Kanye Gaines, of Leesburg High School, for the ball during the boys varsity basketball game on Jan. 10, 2023, at Leesburg High School.
- Arianna Bennett / Daily Sun
Paige Powell, left, of Dunnellon High, and Adejah Corbin, of Wildwood Middle High, battle for possession of the ball during a game on Jan. 10, 2023, at Wildwood Middle High School.
- India Pantin / Daily Sun
Trinidy Harris, left, of Wildwood Middle High, leaps for the basket as Paige Powell, of Dunnellon High, attempts a block during a game on Jan. 10, 2023, at Wildwood Middle High School.
- India Pantin / Daily Sun
Blaise Nelson, left, of The Villages High School, wrestles with Brent Ryals, of Forest High, during the 132-pound weight class match on Jan. 11, 2023, at The Villages High School.
- India Pantin / Daily Sun
Ben Bellamy, right, of Wildwood Middle High School, goes for the shot against an attempted block from Kevin Shell, of Lake Weir High School, during the boys varsity basketball game on Jan. 11, 2023, at Wildwood Middle High School.
- Arianna Bennett / Daily Sun
Gary Nellans, left, of the Village of Fernandina, and Tony George, of the Village of Amelia, both of the Buffalo Booster Club, hold a signed Tre Mann Oklahoma City Thunder jersey and a University of Alabama basketball, where current Villages High School basketball player Sam Walters will attend. These, and other sports items, will be part of a Buffalo Booster Club auction set for Jan. 17, 2023, at The Villages High School.
- Bill Mitchell / Daily Sun
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis waves to the crowd following a press conference on prescription drug cost on Jan. 12, 2023, at Eisenhower Recreation.
- Bill Mitchell / Daily Sun
Chris Washington Jr., right, of The Villages High School, leaps for a shot during a game against Trinity Catholic High School on Jan. 13, 2023, at The Villages High School.
- India Pantin / Daily Sun
Sam Walters, center, of The Villages High School, battles with Jermaine Kinsler, of Trinity Catholic, during a game on Jan. 13, 2023, at The Villages High School.
- India Pantin / Daily Sun
Caven Weng, left, cooks on the hibachi grill for Lynnette Garrison and Kim Pinto, both of the Village of Marsh Bend, on Jan. 13, 2023, at VKI Japanese Steakhouse in Lake Sumter Landing.
- Caitlyn Jordan / Daily Sun
Wildwood Middle High School’s Trinidy Harris (10), left, attempts a layup during a game against Eustis High School on Jan. 14, 2023, at Wildwood Middle High School.
- Caitlyn Jordan / Daily Sun
Donna Francke, left, gives an angel card reading to Dru Hoon, right, on Jan. 15, 2023, during the Energy Healing Fundraiser at Unity Spiritual Center.
- Arianna Bennett / Daily Sun
Cheryl Clift gives healing energy to a client on Jan. 15, 2023, during the Energy Healing Fundraiser at Unity Spiritual Center.
- Arianna Bennett / Daily Sun
Kaden Payne (24), left, of South Sumter, tries to block as Christopher Washington Jr. (33), of The Villages High School, makes a shot toward the basket during the game on Jan. 17, 2023, at The Villages High School.
- Rachel Stuart / Daily Sun
Kymani Weathers (14), left, of The Villages High School, tries to get past Kaden Payne (24), of South Sumter, as he makes his way toward the basket during the game on Jan. 17, 2023, at The Villages High School.
- Rachel Stuart / Daily Sun
Joan Knipper, of the Village Santiago and a kitchen volunteer with American Legion Post 347, takes lunch to a customer on Jan. 18, 2023.
- George Horsford / Daily Sun
Anderson Jarquin, right, 12, plays a game with Lucas Royals, 9, during the spring after-school program on Jan. 18, 2023, at New Covenant United Methodist Church.
- Arianna Bennett / Daily Sun
Madeline Helbock, of the Village of Polo Ridge, scuba dives with The Villages Scuba Club on Jan. 18, 2023, at Devil’s Den Spring in Williston.
- Rachel Stuart / Daily Sun
John Kaim, of the Village of St. Catherine, walks up the stairs to get out of the cave after scuba diving with The Villages Scuba Club on Jan. 18, 2023, at Devil’s Den Spring in Williston.
- Rachel Stuart / Daily Sun
Warren Gross, of the Village of Glenbrook, gets ready to scuba dive with The Villages Scuba Club on Jan. 18, 2023, at Devil’s Den Spring in Williston.
- Rachel Stuart / Daily Sun
Fernando Perez, a 17-year-old senior, launches the rocket he built during the Engineering Academy on Jan. 19, 2023, at The Villages High School.
- Rachel Stuart / Daily Sun
Louise Hill, center, of the Village of Sabal Chase, is all smiles as she waits for the ball to come over the net during a Splish Splash Water Volleyball event on Jan. 19, 2023, at La Hacienda Recreation sports pool.
- George Horsford / Daily Sun
Local residents enjoy playing Splish Splash Water Volleyball on Jan. 19, 2023, at La Hacienda Recreation sports pool.
- George Horsford / Daily Sun
Milissa Fowler, left, of the Village of Hawkins, congratulates her mother, Mary Strickland, on the great putt she made on the fourth green of the Longleaf executive golf course on Jan. 20, 2023.
- George Horsford / Daily Sun
Rodric King, of Blonde Ambition, performs during the Electric Light Party on Jan. 20, 2023, at Lake Sumter Landing Market Square.
- Caitlyn Jordan / Daily Sun
Special guest Allison Nash performs in Four Divo on Jan. 20, 2023, at The Sharon L. Morse Performing Arts Center.
- Caitlyn Jordan / Daily Sun
Rosie Campbell, left, of the Village DeLuna, and her pickleball partner, Nancy Summers, of the Village of Fenney, compete in the championship round to win the PCVG Women’s 3.5 pickleball tournament on Jan. 20, 2023, at Rohan Recreation.
- George Horsford / Daily Sun
Neel Islam (19), center, of The Villages SC, kicks the ball past players with St. Louis City 2 during the game on Jan. 20, 2023, at The Villages SC.
- Rachel Stuart / Daily Sun
Lucas Mauro (11), of The Villages SC, kicks the ball toward the goal during the game against St. Louis City 2 on Jan. 20, 2023, at The Villages SC.
- Rachel Stuart / Daily Sun
Fabio Amaral (30), of The Villages SC, moves the ball down the field during the game against St. Louis City 2 on Jan. 20, 2023, at The Villages SC.
- Rachel Stuart / Daily Sun
Brooke Henderson, left, hugs her caddie and sister, Brittany Henderson, in celebration of her winning shot on the 18th green during the Hilton Grand Vacations Tournament of Champions on Jan. 22, 2023, at Lake Nona Golf and Country Club.
- Arianna Bennett / Daily Sun
Brooke Henderson celebrates her winning shot on the 18th green during the Hilton Grand Vacations Tournament of Champions on Jan. 22, 2023, at Lake Nona Golf and Country Club.
- Arianna Bennett / Daily Sun
Mardy Fish hits an approach shot from the 15th fairway during the Hilton Grand Vacations Tournament of Champions on Jan. 22, 2023, at Lake Nona Golf and Country Club.
- Arianna Bennett / Daily Sun
Misty Morningstar-Twiss, left, pins her husband Brian Twiss as he is recognized as the new fire chief for The Villages Public Safety Department on Jan. 23, 2023, at Station 44.
- Rachel Stuart / Daily Sun
Tommy Jacques, a junior, practices base running during baseball practice on Jan. 23, 2023, at The Villages High School.
- Arianna Bennett / Daily Sun
Ella Thomas, a senior, sprints during softball practice on Jan. 23, 2023, at The Villages High School.
- Arianna Bennett / Daily Sun
Erilynn Beltre, back, and Tatum Lake, front, of Lake Weir High School, attempt to block Zoe Tennell, of The Villages High School, during the girls varsity basketball game on Jan. 23, 2023, at The Villages High School.
- Arianna Bennett / Daily Sun
Troy Perry bevels a pipe on Jan. 24, 2023, at Primus Pipe & Tube in Wildwood.
- Arianna Bennett / Daily Sun
Troy Perry bevels a pipe on Jan. 24, 2023, at Primus Pipe & Tube in Wildwood.
- Arianna Bennett / Daily Sun
Victor Garner, left, general manager who oversees the restaurant location, sits with Judy Puccio, of the Village of Summerhill, as she drinks coffee on Jan. 25, 2023, at Darrell’s Diner in Southern Trace Plaza. Puccio is a regular customer who typically eats at the restaurant every day.
- Rachel Stuart / Daily Sun
Ibis fly over the Sharon Rose Wiechens Preserve at sunrise on Jan. 25, 2023.
- George Horsford / Daily Sun
Rachael Skiles harvests butterhead lettuce on Jan. 25, 2023, at The Villages Grown farm.
- Arianna Bennett / Daily Sun
Caley Sosnowski, a senior weightlifter at The Villages High School, poses for a photo on Jan. 25, 2023, at The Villages High School.
- India Pantin / Daily Sun
Caley Sosnowski, a senior weightlifter at The Villages High School, practices her clean and jerk lift on Jan. 25, 2023, at The Villages High School.
- India Pantin / Daily Sun
Kinsley Sprague, an 8-year-old Orlando resident, looks at sports memorabilia during the Sports Card and Collectible Show and Sale on Jan. 28, 2023, at Laurel Manor Recreation.
- Caitlyn Jordan / Daily Sun
Luna performs a trick for Dianna Beals, of the Village of Winifred, during the Dynamic Dog Club fashion show on Jan. 25, 2023, at Laurel Manor Recreation.
- Caitlyn Jordan / Daily Sun
Ann Marie Maskill, of the Village of Fenney, practices Kimoodo stances during a class led by Kwan Jang-Nim Gerhard Brunner on Jan. 25, 2023, at SeaBreeze Recreation.
- Caitlyn Jordan / Daily Sun
Josiah Williams, 1, shoots the basketball during halftime of the girls basketball game between Wildwood Middle High and Orange West High on Jan. 26, 2023, at Wildwood Middle High School.
- Caitlyn Jordan / Daily Sun
Brayden Wilkins, a kindergarten student at The Villages Charter Elementary School Primary Center, shows interest in learning about Stella, a dog owned by Village of Summerhill resident Christine Barnes, as part of the school’s literacy event with the Dynamic Dog Therapy Team on Jan. 24, 2023.
- George Horsford / Daily Sun
