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Inspired by the life of a real woman who endured an appalling childhood and a forced marriage as a teenager, No Way Out but Through is an emotional story of survival, resilience and, ultimately, the possibility of healing.

The novel arrives at a particularly significant moment. Across the country, stories continue to emerge about underage girls being trafficked, coerced or trapped in abusive relationships. 

The story begins when author Shannon Irwin meets Grace Ferrall, a younger woman with a shocking story to tell. Shannon agrees to write Grace’s story, setting in motion an unusual relationship in which both women are ultimately forced to confront painful chapters of their own pasts.

Told as a frame story with dual narration, the novel moves between present-day Pawleys Island, South Carolina, and rural Oklahoma in the 1990s.

Grace’s story begins in Robbins, Louisiana, where she grows up with an alcoholic father and a mother whose volatile mood swings make home an unpredictable place. Barely 15 and living in Shale, Oklahoma, Grace is manipulated into marrying Rafe, a much older and abusive man.

What follows is years of abuse, multiple pregnancies and miscarriages—and a life in which escape seems almost impossible.

With help from an unlikely ally, Grace finally gets away. But freedom does not come easily. Faced with the daunting task of protecting herself and her two daughters, Grace must make choices no one should ever have to make.

As Shannon and Grace grow closer, their relationship becomes something neither woman expected. By revealing the stories they have kept buried, they begin to confront their own inner demons. Their willingness to be vulnerable with one another opens the door to something neither thought possible: trust, healing and a renewed belief in the resilience of the human spirit.

The novel is the latest work from an author whose career has been steeped in literature and teaching. She taught English for 33 years, at both the college and high-school levels, including Advanced Placement students.

Susan Beckham Zurenda debut novel, Bells for Eli, won numerous awards, including first place for Best First Book—Fiction in the IPPY (Independent Publisher Book Awards). Her second novel, The Girl From the Red Rose Motel, received the Patricia Winn Award in Southern Fiction and an IPPY Gold Medal for Southeast Fiction, among other honors. She has also won the South Carolina Fiction Prize twice.

With No Way Out but Through, she turns her attention to a difficult subject that has too often remained in the shadows.

According to the Zurenda, approximately 315,000 minors were legally married in the United States between 2000 and 2021, and most were girls married to adult men. Through Grace’s story, No Way Out but Through gives a human face to a complex and troubling issue while offering something beyond the pain: a story about courage, connection and the possibility of reclaiming one’s life.

Meet Susan Beckham Zurenda and hear more about Grace’s remarkable journey on Sunday, October 11, from 2:00 pm to 3:30 pm at Sunshine Book Company  (647 Lake Avenue, Clermont).

The post Author Susan Beckham Zurenda Presents Her New Novel At Sunshine Book Company (Oct 11) appeared first on South Lake Tablet.

The day-long celebration will honor the city’s rich heritage while bringing the community together for family-friendly activities and entertainment.

Festival highlights include:

• Founders Day Pageant at 10 am
• Opening Ceremony at 12 pm
• Live entertainment throughout the day
• Local vendors showcasing unique products and services
• Opportunities to learn about Mascotte’s history and the people who helped shape the city

Attendees are encouraged to watch—or even participate in—the city’s first-ever Founders Day Pageant, a special event designed to celebrate Mascotte’s past, present, and future.

Join friends, neighbors, and community leaders for this memorable milestone as Mascotte marks 101 years of history, growth, and community spirit.

For more information, visit www.cityofmascotte.com.

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A first grade idea worth saving: Turn math review into a Math Hospital.

Mrs. Tieder’s first grade classroom became a pharmacy, diagnostic lab, research lab, and emergency room, with each station focused on a different math skill. 

 The result? Students were practicing, problem-solving, and preparing for their assessment, but it felt a lot more like an experience than a review. 

A good reminder that sometimes, a creative theme and a few purposeful stations are all it takes to make familiar skills feel new again. 

 And yes, the emergency room was everyone’s favorite! 

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• Spay or neuter surgery
• Initial vaccinations
• Microchip and personalized identification tag
• A lifetime of love

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Lake Community Arts will partner with Anthony Ransom to bring a new Heaven Concert to us here in Central Florida on Saturday night starting at 6:30 pm on October 17 at St. Luke’s United Methodist Church, 4851 South Apopka Vineland Road, Orlando, FL 32819.

Chad McLellan and Bradley Roberts will be serving as the two conductors for the upcoming live world premiere of Heaven, as composed by Anthony Ransom. The concert will be narrated by Jim Laria of Clermont. This cantata will feature a full orchestra, soloist, narrator, with approximately 100 voice choir consisting of singers from Lake Community Arts, the Orlando Choral Society, Blessed Sacrament Church, the King’s Ridge Singers, St. Lukes United Methodist Church and more. 

Anthony Ransom notes, “To get this Heaven Concert project started, we first recorded it here in Florida with local professional orchestra musicians and it was mixed and mastered at Abbey Roads Recording Studio in London, UK. For anyone who struggles and sustains hardships in their life, we hope this will be a motivating concert of hope, faith and inspiration. We really do hope to inspire each attendee to be a better person for themselves and for their community!”

Ransom is a composer, pianist, and recording artist whose music blends cinematic orchestration with deeply personal storytelling. With a background rooted in both classical tradition and modern production, his work creates immersive soundscapes that resonate with emotion, faith, and hope. While drawing inspiration from life’s most profound moments, Ransom’s compositions invite listeners on a journey beyond the surface, where vulnerability meets beauty. Through his music, Anthony Ransom seeks not only to inspire but also to connect with his audiences while offering a voice to the unspoken and a light in the midst of darkness.

Chad McClellan is a lifelong musician, conductor, and non-profit leader with more than 20 years of experience in building arts programs that bring people together. His vision for Lake Community Arts originally began 15 years ago when he realized the need for a choir in the community. From there, the desire grew to create spaces where everyone, regardless of age, background, or experience, can find community unity through the arts.

Bradley Roberts is vocal coach for the professional, a cappella group Voctave. Roberts has a rich background in vocal performance and ministry. He spent 17 years performing at Disney World Epcot as a member and vocal captain of the famous Voices of Liberty a cappella group. He has performed in Disney’s Finding Nemo: The Big Blue and Beyond productions. He serves as the Senior Director of Traditional Worship Music, Arts, and Theatre at St. Luke’s United Methodist Church in Orlando. Roberts maintains a social media presence as ‘Bradley the Singing Chef’, where he combines his love for Southern culinary arts and music. 

LCA President Leiland Theriot shares, “Lake Community Arts is proud to support Anthony Ransom and his HeavenConcert project.

Ransom’s vision reflects exactly what we hope to encourage in Lake County with local artists dreaming boldly, creating meaningful work, and bringing people together through the power of the arts. Together, our mission extends beyond producing our own creative musical programs. We believe strongly in supporting artists and arts organizations throughout our community and helping create opportunities for their work to be seen, heard, and celebrated. Anthony’s Heaven project is an exciting example of the creativity and artistic talent that exists right here in Lake County. We remain pleased to stand alongside Anthony Ransom, as he brings this vision to life and look forward to helping him share Heaven with our community.”

LCA’s ongoing performances will include public concerts and special events to showcase local talent and foster a sense of belonging for both performers and audiences while increasing important artistic impact in Lake County. LCA will continue to celebrate the joys that music and the creative arts bring to life for our Lake County community. Businesses, organizations and families are encouraged to make donations, sponsorships and tax deductible gifts at: LakeCommunityArts.org/support.

Heaven Concert tickets are now available at: https://anthonyransom.com/pages/concerts-1 Visit: www.anthonyransom.com. There will be general admission tickets at only $20 each, while preferred seating will only be $35.  Children, student and streaming access tickets are also available.

For more information on the Lake Community Arts organization, visit: www.LakeCommunityArts.org. Follow LCA on Facebook at:https://www.facebook.com/lakecommunityarts/ and on social media @LakeCommunityArts. 

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The City of Groveland has lifted the precautionary boil water advisory issued September 29 for the City’s Northern Water Treatment Plant service area.

The advisory was issued following a water main break near the Sunshine Water Treatment Plant that resulted in lower-than-normal water pressure throughout portions of the northern service area.

Crews repaired the water main and restored the Sunshine Water Treatment Plant to normal operation. As part of the required process, water samples were collected and tested. The results came back within safe drinking water standards, allowing the City to lift the precautionary boil water advisory.

Residents in the affected area may now return to normal water use.

The City thanks residents for their patience and understanding while crews worked to repair the main and complete the required water quality testing.

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Twelve student bands from The World of Music School, East Orlando School of Music, Orlando School of Music, Garden Music School and Avalon School of Music will perform in a qualifying round beginning at 10:30 am, judged by an independent panel of working musicians and producers. The audience votes as well: the crowd decides the sixth spot in the top division and a Crowd’s Favorite award in each division. Division 2 competes at 2:00 pm and the Division 1 championship begins at 4:30 pm, with awards at 6:30 pm.

“Music schools usually work in their own worlds,” said Max Acosta, founder of The World of Music School and organizer of the event. “We built World of Bands to put these kids on a real stage together, in front of a real crowd, and to build bridges between the schools that teach them.”

The day includes two free masterclasses open to all attendees: “From Practice Room to Performance” with Wilson Tocto and “How to Write Music for a Rock Band” with Jon Gant. Doors open at 9:00 am. Tickets are $25 through Tuesday, September 29 and $35 after, with children 3 and under free, at worldofbands.com/tickets.

World of Bands Florida grew out of a 2025 battle of the bands between two Orlando-area music schools that drew more than 250 guests. The 2026 edition is presented by The World of Music School.

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