Mirelis Castilla Lawyer  Miami Lakes  “The best Mother’s Day gifts I have received are the handmade gifts my daughters have given me,” Mirelis Castilla said. “It shows such genuine love and thoughtfulness.”  Jessy Orellana Family Advocate Miami Lakes  “One of my favorite Mother’s Day gifts that I received was an in-home spa day that my...

    American Bancshares Mortgage is celebrating 30 years as a lender to aspiring homeowners, a business that has expanded from an office in Hialeah to its national headquarters in Miami Lakes.      The owners, President and Chief Executive Officer John Cosculluela, 59, and Vice President Gina Cosculluela, 55, embody the concept of hometown bankers.      During three decades, they have helped an...

More than 100 Scouts, relatives and friends attended a party at the Mary Collins Community Center on March 30 to celebrate Aidan Schwinghammer, who earned the rank of Eagle Scout, the highest honor in Scouting. His leadership service project was planting -- with the help of 30 volunteers -- 1,000 native orchids in the tree canopies in three town parks. Aidan, 17, is a son of Sean and Adriana Schwinghammer of Miami Lakes, shown in the...

      Say hello to French Bulldogs Izzy, 1, shown at left and Augie, 5.      These Frenchies are fashionable: Izzy, a girl, has fluffy fur, while Augie, a boy, accessorizes with a faux Cuban chain.      They live on the west side of Miami Lakes with the Jury family: Tanya and Spencer, and their 10-year-old twins, McKenna and Wyatt.         “We love our...

     The Miami Lakes Bandits 14U baseball team won the St. Patrick’s Day Super NIT Regional tournament in Pembroke Pines.      The champions are, front row from left: Coach Ernie Sainz; Kevin Chavez; Garrett Gandarillas; David Barcena; Andrew Sainz; Ryan Martinez; Kevin Lugo and Darien Prieto.       Back row: Coach Gus Gandarillas; Kenny Vega; William Urribarri; Alec Gallardo;...