LADY LAKE —The Town of Lady Lake’s Centennial this year is a momentous occasion, providing an opportunity to honor the past, celebrate the present, and envision the future of our community.

A week of Centennial events in November, planned by Lady Lake Parks & Recreation, will bring together residents, visitors, and partners to commemorate 100 years of history, culture, and community spirit!

On October 19, 1925, the Town of Lady Lake held its inaugural meeting, marking the official incorporation of the town. The area was originally inhabited by Seminole Indians and began to flourish as a settlement around 1883, with the establishment of a railway depot circa 1883-84, serving as a catalyst for growth and development. Lady Lake has a rich history as a center along a bustling railway and a purveyor of citrus and watermelon, contributing significantly to the region’s agricultural heritage. The Lady Lake Historical Society Museum offers visitors an insightful journey into the past.

We invite everyone to participate in the various events and activities planned from Nov. 3 through 8 to celebrate this historic milestone.

Lady Lake Centennial Celebration Events Week

• Mon, Nov. 3: Centennial Proclamation – Town Hall, 6 p.m.
• Tue, Nov. 4: Stroll Through History – Farmers Market at Rolling Acres Sports Complex, 11 a.m.–2 p.m.
• Wed, Nov. 5: History Haul – Heritage Park, 3–6 p.m.
• Thu, Nov. 6: Centennial Cake Cutting – Veterans’ Park Log Cabin, 6 p.m.
• Fri, Nov. 7: Taste of Lady Lake Speakeasy – Lady Lake Library, 6:30–9 p.m.
• Sat. morning, Nov. 8: Pancake Breakfast in the Park – Snooky Park, 8–10 a.m.
• Sat. evening, Nov. 8: Centennial Celebration with fireworks – Guava Street Athletic Complex, 5–9 p.m.

To learn more about these upcoming Centennial celebrations, visit ladylakefl.gov/505/Centennial-Celebration, follow us on Facebook and YouTube at @TownofLadyLake or text LadyLake100 to 38276.

LADY LAKE — Lady Lake Police Department Sergeant Charles Gehrsitz has graduated from the FBI National Academy in Quantico, Virginia. He is the first officer to be accepted into the academy from the Lady Lake Police Department, joining the ranks of 56,000 law enforcement professionals worldwide who have completed the program since its founding in 1935.

Internationally recognized for its academic excellence, the FBI National Academy offers 10 weeks of advanced training in communication, leadership, and fitness. Participants are seasoned law enforcement leaders selected through a competitive nomination process. Graduates typically return to their agencies to assume senior leadership positions.

Sergeant Gehrsitz, who began his career with the Lady Lake Police Department in 2014, was promoted to Sergeant in 2018 and currently supervises the department’s Criminal Investigations Division.

Lady Lake Police Chief Steve Hunt praised Sergeant Gehrsitz’s achievement, noting his leadership and dedication.

“Sergeant Gehrsitz has excelled as a proactive, productive, and highly effective leader in our department,” said Chief Hunt. “He has taken on responsibilities often handled by lieutenants in larger agencies, developed policy revisions, implemented technology upgrades, and represented our department in public forums. His graduation from the FBI National Academy is a testament to his hard work, professionalism, and commitment to serving the Lady Lake community.”

With Sergeant Gehrsitz’s graduation, the Lady Lake Police Department now has four National Academy graduates: Chief Hunt (Session 238), Deputy Chief Jason Brough (Session 248), Evidence Technician Scott Kolb (Session 239), and Sergeant Gehrsitz (Session 295).

The 295th session included 254 law enforcement officers from 49 states, the District of Columbia, 20 countries, six military organizations, and four federal civilian agencies.