When Fred Senra was a 14-year-old growing up in Cuba, he and his friends considered themselves to be counterrevolutionaries and had some guns.      “We had a fantasy to take out Castro,” said Celita Cabrera, who has known Senra since high school. “Our parents knew better and took us to the U.S.”       Senra, 77, was the first friend Cabrera saw when she arrived in...

As a hush fell over a darkened Main Street, Santa flicked a giant switch and dazzled the crowd with hundreds of brilliantly colored lights that adorned the trees and facades of stores and apartment buildings.       This year on Nov. 18, thousands of revelers enjoyed the Festival of Lights display along several blocks in downtown Miami Lakes during the event that has delighted families for 38 years.    ...

The Miami Lakes Athletic Club remains the favorite place for fit folks, and those who aspire to be. For the fourth year in a row, the gym that celebrated its 40th anniversary last year won best fitness/wellness/gym in the Best of Miami Lakes contest. The town announced the winners for the annual online rankings on Nov. 20. There were more than 3,000 votes submitted across eight categories for businesses and...

The Miami Lakes Chamber of Commerece held its annual Business Expo on Nov. 2 at the Miami Lakes Hotel on Main.   Representing the breadth of industries in the area were three colleges; seven community service groups; three non-profits; eight restaurants, suppliers and caterers; banks, credit unions and real estate companies; insurance firms; health clubs and medical providers.  In total 40 businesses gathered in the...

Stefan Valdes Co-Owner, The Movement Lab Miami Lakes      “I’m bringing wine, because it’s time to let loose and enjoy yourself,” Stefan Valdes said. “I’m in charge of [it].” Dallas Gory  Retired real estate agent and mortgage broker; Vice President, The Zonta Club of Miami Lakes Miami Lakes      “I normally...