Stepping into the world of Karen Chiappone’s store, “Cucina Mia”, which is Italian for My Kitchen, feels like you are entering a marvelous place, where a well-traveled cook has thoughtfully stocked the kitchen with delightful epicurean goods from all over the world. Here you will have the opportunity to sample wonderful products and goods from more than just Italy, you will experience many of the finest housewares and foods from France, Spain, and Brazil, with beautiful artistic creations from domestic artists’ studios.

After twenty years of catering in the San Francisco Bay area, Karen opened her space, just over a year ago, with the primary goal of providing a much-needed cooking school, offering classes for adults and teenagers. The classes, which are generally presented demonstration style by local area chefs are very popular, and are great fun. All the participants get to share the meals that are demonstrated and enjoy some of the wines Cucina Mia offers. In addition to the basic series, which teaches such techniques as knife skills, there are several other offerings, providing a wide variety of options on most nights of the week. The series of classes encompass such diverse choices as Indian Vegetarian on Wednesday evenings with an upcoming Thai Class scheduled. Thursday and Friday nights are available to reserve for private party cooking classes, which makes for a great affair, and can accommodate up to 20 guests.

Are you looking for a deserted island that will pamper you with exemplary service? Have kids and want them entertained but don’t have time for a trip to the Caribbean? Look no further than Ginn Reunion Resort. Located in Orlando just one exit south of Disney, Reunion Resort is 2,300 acres and hosts three amazing Championship golf courses designed by some of the greatest legends of golf. It is so new that you will not find it on Mapquest and I could not get directions with my navigational device. It is hard to believe that such a huge and luxurious place is a hidden treasure.

This resort is very special as it has every luxury you can think of and more; but the best part this time of year is their Lazy River Water Park and playground. You get the feeling that you are in a tropical paradise as you float around the Lazy River and cool off in the waterfalls as you pass by in your inner tube.

When Debbie Gainey, my photographer, and I are out on a photo shoot we often talk about horses. She has a couple of horses that she adores and I often reminisce about the good old days when I used to do show jumping. So it came as a nice surprise when she called to invite me on a trail ride that was organized by the Lake Butler Riding Club to benefit St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital. I haven’t been in the saddle for years and making myself take some time off to do this seemed like a great idea.

The field was packed full of horse trailers. Approximately one hundred and two riders from the age of four to seventy were saddled up and horses and ponies ready for the ten mile ride across Avery Roberts Ranch which is between Lake Butler and McClenny. It was a sight right out of a Western movie.

I met this Brooklyn native a when I first moved to Florida several years ago. I had to ask him why an Italian New Yorker was cooking Southern Barbeque. He smiled and said, “That’s just what I do”…and he does it very well!

Now in its tenth year Newberry’s Backyard Bar-B-Q is a landmark of the community. All the hustle and bustle of Newberry is right here. The food is cooked with loving care as Rocky makes sure that food quality and service exceed his customer’s expectations. “We make fresh onion rings, hamburgers are made to order and the corn is fresh, not frozen” said Rocky.