Blog Archives

MOUNT DORA HIGH PREPARES FOR "FRIDAY NIGHT LIGHTS"

9/12/2020

ABOVE: Mount Dora High School head football coach Cameron Porch.

This summer the fate of the high school football season seemed precarious. Coaches and players are used to moving targets and obstacles, but COVID-19 brought unprecedented hurdles to prepare for and overcome.

Typically, high school football teams workout and practice all summer in advance of the season, but this year preparation was delayed and uncertain. Although the team began getting into shape earlier this summer with temperature checks before outdoor workouts, the start of actual practice using footballs and other equipment was delayed. Full-contact practice did not start until last week, just two weeks before their first game.

The varsity football tradition of Friday Night Lights is now just around the corner with the first of four home games kicking off on October 9 followed by Homecoming on October 16 (see entire schedule below).

Mount Dora High School’s new head football coach Cameron Porch joined the program last January and prepared the Hurricanes for their abbreviated season with their season-opener near Gainesville on September 25. The short Hurricane season only gives the varsity team seven games and junior varsity four games. Although capacity in the stands is limited, Porch hopes the community can support the local players, band and cheerleaders by either attending or watching on livestream.

Porch has already succeeded in one of his early goals for the team -- to expand its very thin roster from last season. The average number of boys per school in 11-player football in 2018-19 had fallen to 70.6 according to the National Federation of High School Associations. Last season, Mount Dora High School fell short of that average, but Porch has since recruited 20 new players even with negative impacts of the pandemic.

Under Porch’s leadership, the Hurricane football program secured new uniforms and new equipment for the game field, and created a more intimate atmosphere for the kids to enjoy themselves.

Since first meeting the team eight months ago, the coach has noticed the players have matured and they are starting to grow together through the hard times. Porch, who stresses attendance and effort to his players, said this season’s Canes have shown impressive resiliency during these trying and uncertain times. “We've been through a lot in a short amount of time, but they've continued to do what we ask and that will take us a long way,” said Porch.

High school football players often dream of competing on the next level -- college. At his introductory meeting last February, Porch expressed one of his priorities is helping those players with college opportunities and assisting them in the recruitment process which has been made more uncertain due to COVID-19. In return, the coach just asked them for one thing: effort -- not only on the field and in the weight room, but also in the classroom and the greater community--the effort, in short, to be a good person.

The new coach brought his 16 years of high school coaching experience to Mount Dora High School after coaching in the Gainesville area and Georgia. Many of the Florida football programs were struggling when Porch came on board, and he helped turn them around. That transitional experience may be just what the Hurricanes need during this challenging season. Meanwhile, the head coach hopes the team will fight through any hard times and continue to grow as men. He also hopes the players’ resilience rubs off on the school’s student body.

For more news and events in Mount Dora, Tavares & Eustis, click here.   For local things to do, click here and for the area's free mobile app, click here.

(Click on image to enlarge schedule)

0 Comments

RENNINGERS HOSTS 'FALL IN THE FIELD' AND CRAFT SHOW IN MOUNT DORA ON OCT. 3 & 4

9/5/2020

0 Comments

Craft lovers were disappointed after the cancellation of the big annual Mount Dora Craft Fair in October. Now festival-goers have a little something to smile about with the announcement of a different and smaller, October craft show tucked in the rolling hills of Mount Dora.

On October 3 and 4, Renninger's Antique Center will organize and host its new outdoor craft fair in combination with its annual “Fall in the Field” event set in the open-air among majestic live oaks.

RELATED: Cycletober comes to Mount Dora in October

Every year “Fall in the Field” features vendors selling primitive fall decor, antiques, vintage items, and food. The seasonal event’s impressive heirloom pumpkin patch features unique pumpkins, gourds, fall garlands and corn stalks in all sizes, and other fall decor.

There will also be interactive seasonal activities like a class to create a pumpkin/succulent garden, and a free children’s craft tent with mini pumpkin painting. The University of Florida will also be on hand with its Mobile Teaching Lab with educational information about edible Fall plants. Gale Brisa of “Vignette It,” an inspired home decor resource, will be the event's special guest.

Gates are open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on both days and there is ample free parking. Admission is also free in this pet-friendly event located at 20651 U.S. Highway 441 in Mount Dora.

A call for crafters currently underway.  The cost for a space for crafters is $95 total for the two days.  Interested crafters should call Toni Moody at 407-947-3961.

For more news and events in Mount Dora, Tavares & Eustis, click here.   For local things to do, click here and for the area's free mobile app, click here.

0 Comments

LAKE COUNTY MUSEUM OF ART TO UNVEIL INSPIRING NEW EXHIBIT

9/1/2020

0 Comments

ABOVE: Exhibit artwork by Shane Mulcahy, age 14.

Art lovers have something to look forward to in September. Lake County Museum of Art (LCMA) is hosting “Spectral Evidence,” an art exhibit that opens on September 4 in their downtown Tavares gallery. The inspiring exhibit of creative artists is the result of a collaboration with the UCF-Center for Autism and Related Disabilities and the museum.

This collection of art demonstrates expressions by artists on the Autism Spectrum, who see life from a different perspective. The artists express a liberating take on themes, materials, detail, and density. The creative work actively points to the genius of many individuals who embrace and work through the challenges of autism, and who strive every day to find their place.

RELATED: Mount Dora to host auction to benefit artists in September

This is the third year the museum has hosted the popular and inspiring event. This exhibit will run from September 4 through 26. The opening reception is September 4 from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. and is open to the public. LCMA is located at 213 W. Ruby Street in Tavares.

For more news and events in Mount Dora, Tavares & Eustis, click here. For local things to do, click here and for the area's free mobile app, click here.

0 Comments

MOUNT DORA ART AUCTION WILL SUPPORT LOCAL ARTISTS AND NON-PROFIT

9/1/2020

0 Comments

As the spread of COVID-19 continues to affect the economy, the Mount Dora arts community has taken a financial blow due to the cancellation of art festivals and shows across the country.

In order to help local artists during this challenging time, Mount Dora Center for the Arts (MDCA) is hosting a special online fine art auction titled “Be a Part of It” running September 19-20. Last month, the community art center encouraged artists of all media to submit works of art for the auction. The artists will get fifty percent of the sale price at the MDCA auction. The other half of the proceeds will go to help fund art educational programs at the center.

RELATED: Find more Mount Dora events on the area's entertainment calendar.

Over 60 artists submitted their work for consideration and MDCA expects approximately 90 auction items. The public is invited to preview the items in the MDCA gallery on September 14 - 18, between the hours of 12:00 p.m. and 4:00 p.m. A link to the auction and other details were not available at press time, so guests should inquire at the MDCA gallery or visit their website for more information.

For more news and events in Mount Dora, Tavares & Eustis, click here.   For local things to do, click here and for the area's free mobile app, click here.

0 Comments

Arts & Entertainment

MOUNT DORA HIGH PREPARES FOR "FRIDAY NIGHT LIGHTS"

RENNINGERS HOSTS 'FALL IN THE FIELD' AND CRAFT SHOW IN MOUNT DORA ON OCT. 3 & 4

LAKE COUNTY MUSEUM OF ART TO UNVEIL INSPIRING NEW EXHIBIT

MOUNT DORA ART AUCTION WILL SUPPORT LOCAL ARTISTS AND NON-PROFIT

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

Categories

Archives