If, due to COVID-19, you have lost your job, are underemployed or are seeking new training, Lake Technical College can provide career and technical training designed to open career opportunities. The college has partnered with Lake County to provide the “Elevate to Essential” scholarship to …
Campaigns to "shop local" are often rooted in encouraging locals to support the small businesses in their communities. Consumers no doubt recognize that such support is vital to the survival of small businesses, but they may not realize just how much thriving local businesses benefit their c…
Sisters Kris and Cinnamon 2 are bonded Shih Tzu mixes. Kris is light brown and white. She is 9 years old and weighs 5.9 pounds. She is blind in one eye and is the more outgoing of the pair. Cinnamon 2 is 10 years old and weighs 6.5 pounds. She is blind in both eyes but does see shadows. They…
Leesburg kicked off the holiday season last week with Christmas displays in Venetian Gardens that light up early this year – and will stay lit longer than in the past. More than 1 million lights, including the centerpiece, a new 22’ musical Christmas tree, will be on display through Jan. 8, …
Do you provide care for a loved one, or are you facing challenges as you age? This column is designed to bring support, education and encouragement for those who have questions about aging or care for loved ones.
The Dec. 15 Christmas Concert at First Presbyterian Church of Mount Dora will feature a special guest, Tiffany Coburn.
Seagull Cottage originated in Maine over 30 years ago.
Six Lake-Sumter State College cross country runners completed their 2020 season at the NJCAA National Championships hosted in Iowa in November, earning national recognitions.
Sadie is a playful 1 year old Terrier mix. She loves to play with toys and is an expert at tug-of-war. She is a gentle girl when playing and she walks well on a leash. Sadie is friendly with all people and does great with other dogs and cats! Stop by our shelter and take Sadie out to play, y…
Retired educator Mollie Cunningham was sworn in Nov. 17, as the newest member of the Lake County School Board. She is believed to be the first African American elected to serve.
This year’s celebration and parade, set to begin at 5 p.m. on Dec. 5 by the Sheriff’s Office at Sinclair Ave. in Tavares, will have some high-level changes to promote social distancing: Additional sanitation stations are being added. The parade route will double in footprint to distance spec…
Lake County is partnering with Adult Medicine of Lake County to offer free COVID-19 rapid testing to Lake County residents through Tuesday, Dec. 8. The site will be closed on Sundays.
Dec. 4, the 28th Annual Christmas Walk in downtown Mount Dora offers the community a fun family-friendly holiday street party, 6–9 p.m. The event will feature food and toy vendors, music, shopping opportunities and more. Free pictures with Santa will be taken in Sunset Park. Entertainment wi…
The 45th annual Cracker Christmas Parade & Festival will be a bit different than previous holiday festivities, as this year’s offering is a first-ever stationary parade and Christmas festival. Taking place Dec. 12 at North Lake Community Park, 11 a.m.–3 p.m., the celebration includes a d…
A phenomenon called “cabin fever” tends to set in around late autumn or in midwinter. Long hours of darkness coupled with cold, inclement weather often is a recipe for increased time spent indoors. For people who live alone, the effects of cabin fever might be more pronounced.
Until further notice, the Florida Department of Health in Lake County offers free COVID-19 testing at DOH-Lake Clermont WIC, 560 W. DeSoto Street in Clermont Monday through Friday. DOH-Lake Leesburg WIC, at 1904 Griffin Road in Leesburg, offers testing Tuesdays and Thursdays only. Testing st…
The Umatilla High School Aviation Club recently received a financial boost to help toward completion of an airplane students are building. The Marian S. Shuck Scholarship Trust donated $10,000 toward the purchase of the Finishing Kit section of the VANS RV-12 airplane, a two-seat, single-eng…
Shopping at locally owned businesses benefits everyone from local business owners to the people they employ to the communities where they operate. As beneficial as shopping local can be for small business owners and the communities where they operate, the planet is perhaps the biggest benefi…
This year’s celebration and parade, set to begin at 5 p.m. on Dec. 5 by the Sheriff’s Office at Sinclair Ave. in Tavares, will have some high-level changes to promote social distancing: Additional sanitation stations are being added. The parade route will double in footprint to distance spec…
With Black Friday, Small Business Saturday, and Cyber Monday in November kicking off the holiday shopping season, the U.S. Small Business Administration offers three tips to help small businesses thrive. According to the SBA, 60% of consumers plan to do half or more of their winter holiday s…
Jeremy Norton, associate professor of political science at Lake-Sumer State College, has been named the 2020 Professor of the Year by the Association of Florida Colleges.
The Florida Commission on the Status of Women is seeking entries for the 2021 Women’s History Essay Contest for students in grades 6-8. The commission invites students, both boys and girls, to participate in order to gain a more relevant appreciation of women’s roles in history. Winning essa…
Central Florida-based Community Health Centers, Inc. was recently named as a Fall 2020 Best and the Brightest Company to Work For® by National Association for Business Resources, for the third consecutive year.
The 16th annual Toys for Tots Tournament by the Holiday Marine & Sea Tow Central Florida Lakes will be held Dec. 6, starting at 11:30 a.m. at Hurricane Dockside Grill in Tavares. Want to donate new and unwrapped toys? Call 352-878-4824 or 877-800-1492, ext. 3, for drop-box location and o…
The sixth annual Experience Lady Lake Expo is just around the corner. Dec. 2, all are invited to meet and support local business owners, including those representing health and wellness, insurance, financial, travel, home improvement and other companies.
The Town of Astatula recently had a ribbon-cutting ceremony to officially open its new community center. U.S. Rep. Daniel Webster, Lake County Commissioner Wendy Breeden and County Commission Chairman Leslie Campione were in attendance at the event.
“I’ll Be Home for Christmas – Honoring Our Essential & Frontline Workers” is the theme of this year’s Lady Lake Christmas Parade, set to start Dec. 5 at 10 a.m. and traverse along Old Dixie Highway. For more information, call the Lady Lake Chamber of Commerce at 352-753-6029.
Roxy is a 10-year-old Jack Russell terrier weighing approximately 8 pounds. She just had 16 teeth removed. She previously had trouble eating because of tooth pain, but now she is pain-free and gaining weight. She only has three teeth, but is able to eat dry food, according to A Forever Home …
At a Nov. 5 AdventHealth Morning Briefing, Linnette Johnson, senior vice president and a chief nursing officer at AdventHealth Central Florida Division, discussed how COVID-19 has changed the nursing profession.
Traditional Thanksgiving gatherings with family and friends can increase the chances of getting or spreading COVID-19 or the flu, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The CDC says the safest way to celebrate Thanksgiving this year is with people in your househol…
Initially launched during the COVID-19 pandemic as a temporary solution, Florida Department of Health’s virtual “Group Quit” by Tobacco Free Florida will continue as an online option for those looking for free support when making the decision to give up tobacco use.
Trout Lake Nature Center in Eustis will offer a special Field Learning Experience program on Sunday, Dec. 6. This event is by pre-registration only and is for school-age children and adults. From 1 to 3 p.m., small groups will be rotated through exclusive guided outdoor experiences and prese…
The Lake County School Board has approved a $1 million compensation package that includes a 2% raise for the district’s classified employees, including bus drivers, food service workers and custodians.
The Toys for Tots donation drive is accepting applications from those who would like to receive toys. Through Nov. 30, those in need can visit Cooper Memorial Library in Clermont and TFT 2020 Warehouse (Phillips Collision Center), 3320 Hwy 27/441 in Fruitland Park, to get an application.
Nov. 15, three scouts were awarded the rank of Eagle Scout in BSA Troop 250 at First United Methodist Church of Eustis, and one was awarded the Spirit of the Eagle.
Elena is a beautiful 2 year old Terrier mix. She has a playful and fun personality. She likes to be the center of attention and would love to be the only animal. She loves kids! Elena is ready to meet you at our shelter and will make a great companion!
The opening of the IceHouse Theatre’s 73rd season of community theater fare, which traditionally launches in July, was postponed due to the pandemic.
Nov. 21, a Holiday Jewelry Show will take place from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. at Artisans on fifth in Mount Dora.
On Nov. 11, Veteran’s Day, the Lake and Sumter Counties Chapter of Military Officers Association of America (MOAA) celebrated its 50th anniversary at its annual JROTC Recognition Dinner.
JackRabbit (nicknamed JR) is a 2 ½-year-old Chihuahua mix weighing 19 pounds. This handsome boy got his name because he can walk on his two front paws. He is so playful, friendly and lovable, according to A Forever Home Animal Rescue.
In its first in person meeting since March, the Florida Black Bear National Scenic Byway board of directors met Nov. 5 at the Pioneer Settlement in Barberville.
Evan Calvert of Mount Dora recently completed a Bachelor of Applied Science in Information Technology at University of the Cumberlands in Williamsburg, Kentucky.
Who remembers 1966, when the Batman television show debuted, mini-skirts were all the rage and everybody was listening to the song “I’m a Believer” by the Monkees?
The Beach Boys tribute show that was previously scheduled for November 18th at Living Drama Theatre has been postponed. Watch the paper for a new date coming soon.
The Lake County Clerk of the Circuit Court & Comptroller will host a week-long event to help those with a suspended driver license, nearing a suspension, or in past-due collections.
Mount Dora’s 30th annual Lighted Boat Christmas Parade is set to take place on Dec. 5 with a theme of “Florida Christmas.” Awards will be presented for first, second, third and most creative vessels.
Lee Helfer, from The Villages, an Experimental Aircraft Association Chapter 534 member and pilot, donated $500 to the chapter’s youth program, Squadron 534 on Oct. 10.
The annual Festival of Trees has returned to Lake Square Mall this month with a display of trees decorated for the holidays with handmade ornaments created by Lake County Schools students.
Nov 10, the Lake County Board of County Commissioners hosted the annual State of the County presentation in the Lake County Administration Building in Tavares.
Lake Cares Food Pantry invites the community to Celebrate the Season in downtown Mount Dora on Saturday, Nov. 21 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Seagull Cottage originated in Maine over 30 years ago. A lovely couple, “Capt. Jim & Elsa Stewart”, have owned and operated several locations very successfully. They started this location at Renninger’s in Mount Dora about 5 years ago.
Raymond “Ray” Ordell Halverson (1934-2020) went home to be with the Lord on Jan. 22, 2020 at the age of 85 after a short but rough battle with cancer. The funeral service will be held at Trinity Evangelical Free Church, 890 Abrams Road, Eustis, Florida at 11 a.m. Tuesday, Jan. 28. It will al…