The Giving Gators non-profit group held two drives for supplies to help survivors of Hurricane Ian in Southwest Florida. During two weeks in October the organization collected clothing; shoes; nonperishable food items, water and medicine, among other necessities for those in the hard-hit area. Daylin Garcia, chair of Giving Gators, said local businesses, school clubs and town residents all donated goods that were brought...

The Women’s Breast & Heart Initiative of Miami Lakes held its 11th Annual B-Fore-Pink golf tournament on Oct. 7 at Miami Lakes Golf Club. The goal of the tournament is to raise money for the organization, which provides women in South Florida with education, screening and health care resources to defeat breast cancer and heart disease. Sponsors included the Lowell S. Dunn & Betty L. Dunn Family Foundation; Assurant; Ivory...

      What began 50 years ago as an American dream has grown to a family-run business built on pastelitos and croquetas, among other classic Cuban baked goods.       Vicky Bakery opened in southeast Hialeah in 1972, at 860 SE 8th St.      Since then, the business has expanded and, with franchises too, grown throughout Miami-Dade and Broward Counties.       This...

     On the east side of town, just north of Miami Lakes Drive, there is the Miami Lakes Office Village.       Sixteen offices fill two rows of yellow buildings that offer a variety of services.       One of those companies is Deluxe Health Care, which moved to town from Sweetwater two-and-a-half years ago.       The company specializes in clinical trials for...

     The finalist round of voting is underway for the Sixth Annual Best of Miami Lakes awards. Votes will be accepted through Nov. 5 in the contest sponsored by the Town of Miami Lakes and its Economic Development Committee. To vote go to: https://bit.ly/3Dh7Y0r. Best Cafe/Cup of Coffee: Mayor’s Cafe; Vie de France; Holiday Bakery; Casavana Cuban Cuisine; Vanilla Espresso. Best Lunch Spot: La...