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get ready for peak season at local u-pick farm

2/25/2016

Most folks love an unseasonally warm winter. Not so for local strawberry farmers.

The record-breaking warm winter prevented the strawberry plants from setting flowers and future fruit. However, the return of cold weather helped stimulate with eventual new flowers for fruit. Now the warm weather and sunshine is helping to produce plentiful berries...Read more.

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PASSION SPARKS NEW DOWNTOWN BUSINESS

2/23/2016

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Children Inspire and captivate her. A new local photographer, Fury Gray, finds their bold, fearless honesty refreshing and strives to capture their authentic selves. Read more.

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MOUNT DORA PEDALS FORWARD WITH BIKE TRAIL

2/17/2016

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Cyclists, runners, walkers and business owners are rejoicing this morning. Mount Dora City Council voted 7-0 last night that the proposed Wekiva Trail should proceed to the next step.

The project requires a significant amount of logistics and a lengthy process for state and federal funding, so it may be 5 years before shovels hit the dirt...Read more.

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FUN BUS BEGINS SCHEDULED TOURS THIS FRIDAY

2/8/2016

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Expect to see a whole lot more purple in the scenic areas ofMount Dora, Tavares and Eustis. The Fun Bus which had its soft launch in early November, will begin its much anticipated weekly tours this Thursday, February 11. The 90-minute tourfeatures comedic characters to entertain passengers as attention-getting bus rambles down the streets of the three cities. Read more.

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NEW MIDDLE EASTERN RESTAURANT DISHES UP ETHNIC FARE

2/5/2016

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It's not uncommon to hear. Foodies expressing their inner-most cravings for Middle-Eastern fare in Mount Dora

A new casual restaurant hopes to satisfy those hankerings. Aladdin's Mediterranean Grille, in the former home of Cerbiche on 19A, Read more.

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CELEBRITY CHEF'S NEW EATERY TO PUT MT. DORA ON CULINARY MAP

2/5/2016

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It's not every day a celebrity comes to Mount Dora, let alone starts a business. Perhaps that's why there is so much anticipation forChef Norman Van Aken's new restaurant to open downtown. More likely, it's because of his amazing vision, talent and passion for food.

"1921 by Norman Van Aken" is the James Beard Award-winning chef's new restaurant in Mount Dora. Read more.

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CITY COUNCIL ACCEPTS MOUNT DORA CITY MANAGER'S SEPARATION AGREEMENT

2/3/2016

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Last night's Mount Dora City Council meeting capped an end to the drama surrounding city manager Vince Pastue's announcement two weeks ago of his plan to resign. The council voted 5-2 to accept the separation agreement Pastue submitted to them. His last day will be March 4. Read more.

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ICEHOUSE THEATRE: A HISTORY OF PASSION & PERSISTENCE

2/3/2016

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It began as many great things do, with a small group of devotees. A woman who apparently wouldn’t take no for an answer, founding president Celia Clafin, detailed the history making Mount Dora's IceHouse Theatre a reality.
Read more.

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CIVIL WAR FESTIVAL COMES TO mT. DORA

1/27/2016

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Blasts of canons will travel through the hills of Mount Dora this during this weekend's Civil War Festival and Battle of Townsend’s Plantation re-enactment.

In addition to live battle re-enactments, the educational festival will also feature living history exhibits, folk music Read more...

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NEW RESTAURANT & bar TO BRING GOOD VIBRATIONS TO EUSTIS

1/25/2016

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Browse the Straw Market. Enjoy a libation in the bar overlooking the sandy beach. Dance to live music. A Caribbean vacation? No. Welcome to the new restaurant and bar, Beach Bums, in downtown Eustis. Read more

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LEE FUSION ART GLASS RETURNS DOWNTOWN

1/21/2016

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They have been fixtures in Mount Dora since 2005. Their first downtown location was in what is now The Olive Branch Bar & Grille.

Wayne Taylor, Sr and Sheldon Bickford, owners of Lee Fusion Art Glass, later moved their store to Renaissance Building before deciding to concentrate on their wholesale business. Read more...

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time-travelers trek to mt. dora for steampunk show

1/20/2016

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Combine the Victorian era and innovative technology with a heaping spoonful of fantasy.

That's the recipe for steampunk and the results fall somewhere between Albert Einstein, the Wild West and Mad Maxwithout Thunder Dome. Read more...

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MOUNT DORA ART FESTIVAL KICKS OFF FEB. 6TH

1/12/2016

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Mount Dora will transform into a sea of tents on February 6th and 7th, as some of the best fine artists from around the country show their works at the 41st annual Mount Dora Art Festival. Read more...

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A SOMBER MARK ON MT. DORA'S HISTORY

1/9/2016

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Mount Dora's cup of charm no doubt runneth over. However, there is a sad piece of history that made it all possible. This tainted sliver of the past isn't immortalized with a plaque or bronze statue and the episode rarely gets more than a paragraph written about it.

In the early 1920's, a decade after the city's incorporation, some white residents believed the city could draw wealthy tourists from the Northeast and implemented the Mount Dora Redevelopment Project. That was the sugary term for mandating the removal of African-Americans. Read more...

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LOSS OF DOWNTOWN GALLERY SADDENS ART LOVERS

1/7/2016

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After four and a half years, Bowersock Gallery will be closing it's doors and "Moving On."

The fine art gallery's final Mount Dora opening reception, featuring Pastel Artist Lynn Libby, is scheduled for Friday, January 8th, 6 to 8pm and run through January 13th. Read more...

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NEW CUBAN RESTAURANT OPENS IN MOUNT DORA

1/4/2016

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Can you say deja vu? It's ironic a new downtown restaurant will coincidentally have the same name as the previous one in that location, except it's in Spanish.

Las Palmas opened in Mount Dora today in the former home of The Palm Tree Grill. This is the second location for the Cuban restaurant that has been in business in Sebastian, Florida for the last five years.

The new restaurant will feature authentic Cuban fare made from scratch using family recipes, according to owner Edna Gonzalez. The houses specialties include a churassco steak, seafood paella, oxtail in red wine sauce, as well as snapper with black bean and mango salsa. In addition, the menu will also have a few Cuban-inspired Mexican and Puerto Rican dishes. Read more...

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NEW ITALIAN & MEDITERANNEAN RESTAURANT OPENED TODAY

12/31/2015

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Chicken marsala? Check. Penne alla Vodka? Check. White linen table clothes and trained staff? Check. Friendly owner. Double check!

After much anticipation, as well as some building delays, the Olive Branch Mediterranean-Italian Grille & Bar is open today and serving lunch and dinner. Read more...

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PADDLING COMPANY TO HIT LAKE DORA

12/30/2015

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People don't typically speak of penguins when discussing nature in Central Florida, but that's about to change.

Penguin Paddling Mount Dora will open its first Florida location in Mount Dora on New Year's Day. The company will provide paddle board and kayak rentals on Lake Dora. Read more...

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FORMER NFL STAR TRAINS LOCAL ATHLETES

12/29/2015

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During his football career, Sammie Smith was a formidable force to be reckoned with. The All-American running back was the the first round draft pick of the Miami Dolphins in 1989. He went on to have 532 carries and scored 15 touchdowns during his four NFL seasons. Read more...

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MOUNT DORA'S EPIC THEATRES CLEARS LAST HURDLE

12/17/2015

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Bring on the popcorn Mount Dora!

After a meeting last night, it appears Epic Theatres will finally be a reality in Mount Dora in 2016. The meeting cleared the way for construction to begin at the site between Target and Walmart . Read more...

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MAYOR PROCEEDS WITH CAMPAIGN PROMISE

12/11/2015

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Residents jaded by local campaign rhetoric, may begin to feel hopeful. This week one newly elected Mount Dora official delivered on a simple promise.

During his campaign, Mayor Nick Girone told voters that he believed the city government was disconnected from many of its residents and he wanted more open communication. This week, Girone set the tone by extending an open invitation to residents to join him for coffee and tell him their concerns or just stop by to introduce themselves. Read more...

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TREE SHOWS SUPPORT OF THOSE AFFECTED BY CANCER

11/25/2015

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A Holly tree in Donnelly Park downtown has been selected as the Tree of Hope And Memories. The tree will be lit in multi-colored lights to represent cancer awareness colors and how the disease has touched everyone.

Roy Hughes, The City of Mount Dora Parks and RecreationDirector, followed through on a suggestion by grandparents of a child with cancer to designate a tree to show support.
Read more...

Light Up Mount Dora is Saturday, November 28.

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THE MAKING OF A MOUNT DORA TRADITION

11/18/2015

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No one does Christmas like Mount Dora. No one does holiday lights like Joe Lewis.

For the past 19 years, Joe and his crew of elves at Mount Dora Boating Center have created what is arguably the city's most impressive holiday display. This year the downtown marina boasts over one million lights.

Lewis has it down to a near science. Preparation begins in September, and the installation of all the illuminated decorations starts in October. Read more...

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INSIDE MOUNT DORA'S OLD JAIL

11/17/2015

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It wasn't Alcatraz, but it sure wasn't comfortable.

Mount Dora's jail housed prisoners in the heart of downtown from 1923 to 1969. Built in 1922, the small building served double-duty as both the fire station and the city's jail.

Originally limited to five cramped cells with heavy iron doors, prisoners had to share a single, small wash room. The jail later expanded by adding four double cells with wash basins. The stark, cement cells and no air circulation, fans or screens on the windows making Florida's hot, humid summers unbearable. Read more...

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MOUNT DORA'S NEW LEADERSHIP TAKES REINS TONIGHT

11/16/2015

The public is encouraged to attend the swearing-in ceremony tonight of its recently elected new mayor and council members.

Former council member and challenger Nick Girone won the mayoral seat, while council newcomers Mark Slaby and Laurie Tillet also beat incumbents for city council seats during the election earlier this month. Another city council newcomer, Marc Crail, will be sworn in after he was unopposed. The four will begin serving their two-year terms immediately following the ceremony.

Residents attending can also express their appreciation to the outgoing mayor and city council members for their years of service and commitment to Mount Dora.

The short ceremony is at 6 pm tonight at City Hall, 510 Baker Street. After the swearing-in ceremony, residents may leave or stay for the city council meeting that follows.

From left: Council member-elect Mark Slaby, Mayor-elect Nick Girone, Council member-elect Laurie Tillet

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Featured Articles

get ready for peak season at local u-pick farm

PASSION SPARKS NEW DOWNTOWN BUSINESS

MOUNT DORA PEDALS FORWARD WITH BIKE TRAIL

FUN BUS BEGINS SCHEDULED TOURS THIS FRIDAY

NEW MIDDLE EASTERN RESTAURANT DISHES UP ETHNIC FARE

CELEBRITY CHEF'S NEW EATERY TO PUT MT. DORA ON CULINARY MAP

CITY COUNCIL ACCEPTS MOUNT DORA CITY MANAGER'S SEPARATION AGREEMENT

ICEHOUSE THEATRE: A HISTORY OF PASSION & PERSISTENCE

CIVIL WAR FESTIVAL COMES TO mT. DORA

NEW RESTAURANT & bar TO BRING GOOD VIBRATIONS TO EUSTIS

LEE FUSION ART GLASS RETURNS DOWNTOWN

time-travelers trek to mt. dora for steampunk show

MOUNT DORA ART FESTIVAL KICKS OFF FEB. 6TH

A SOMBER MARK ON MT. DORA'S HISTORY

LOSS OF DOWNTOWN GALLERY SADDENS ART LOVERS

NEW CUBAN RESTAURANT OPENS IN MOUNT DORA

NEW ITALIAN & MEDITERANNEAN RESTAURANT OPENED TODAY

PADDLING COMPANY TO HIT LAKE DORA

FORMER NFL STAR TRAINS LOCAL ATHLETES

MOUNT DORA'S EPIC THEATRES CLEARS LAST HURDLE

MAYOR PROCEEDS WITH CAMPAIGN PROMISE

TREE SHOWS SUPPORT OF THOSE AFFECTED BY CANCER

THE MAKING OF A MOUNT DORA TRADITION

INSIDE MOUNT DORA'S OLD JAIL

MOUNT DORA'S NEW LEADERSHIP TAKES REINS TONIGHT

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