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 One of the benefits of building a Pringle
home is the freedom they offer to customize the design during the
planning stages. For Art and Joan Mangolas, that option wasn't
necessary.
When they visited the Legacy of Leesburg
community about two years ago, they enjoyed the tour of the Devonshire
model home so much, they bought it the same day! Furniture, flooring,
window treatments, everything in place and ready to go. They simply
added some of their own pieces of furniture to complete a beautifully
decorated home. Then, with the help of their eight year old Peek-A-Poo,
Molly, they dove right into becoming very active, permanent residents.
Art was born in Washington, D.C. and Joan
was born in Belefonte, PA. Before coming to Florida, Art and Joan lived
in North Potomac, Maryland, which is located just north of Washington.
Art was employed by Lord and Taylor for a total of 20 years, starting in
sales and ending up as an Operations Manager. After retiring from Lord
and Taylor, he worked for Neiman Marcus for 15 years as an Operations
Manager. Joan was employed by Saks 5th Avenue for 20 years, also
beginning in the Sales Dept, then becoming a Department Manager. She
eventually became a Personal Shopper for Saks, providing assistance for
clients who relied on her to make clothing selections for their personal
wardrobes.
The Mangolas have three daughters and two
sons. Two of their daughters live in Maryland, and one lives in
Tennessee. One son is a graphic arts operations distributor in Richmond,
VA, and the other son is a construction engineer in Maryland. Art and
Joan also have four granddaughters and three grandsons.
Art and Joan became familiar with Florida's
enjoyable climate by making annual trips to Palm Beach and St.
Petersburg. Prior to moving to Florida, they learned that people living
on Florida's coasts, would travel to Central Florida to avoid
threatening storms. When they visited Lake County, they also discovered
that the area was less crowded, especially in the winter months, and
that taxes were more reasonable.
 They moved to the Leesburg area and lived in
a nearby community for six years before settling into their new home at
Legacy. They were really impressed with all of the structured activities
that were available at Legacy of Leesburg, as well as the beautiful
walking trails that have been integrated into the community.
Both Art and Joan find it easy to keep
themselves busy with a number of activities. Art frequently uses the
large swimming pool at the Recreation Center, and he keeps himself in
shape with bowling, bocce, horseshoes, and by visiting the exercise room
three or four times a week. On occasion, he puts his cooking skills to
work by preparing some of his special Greek dishes. Joan also swims
frequently, and visits the ladies exercise room on a daily basis. She
volunteers on the library committee, the Vacation Sitters Critters Club
(which is a cooperative pet-sitting group that provides tender, loving
care for the pets of vacationing residents), and is a hospice volunteer
in nearby Tavares.
They both enjoy attending many of the social
events that are held within the community, stating that, “it gives them
frequent opportunities to meet with all of the other residents”.
In the two years that Art and Joan have
lived in Legacy, they have also had the good fortune to meet some of the
real “native” residents of the community - Sandhill Cranes, Egrets,
Mourning Doves and rabbits. Now that's Florida living!
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