APRIL EDITION: News & events for Mount Dora, Tavares & Eustis

The Vintage Garden Show in Mount Dora returns early this month just in time for spring. Vendors will feature everything from flowering plants and herbs to garden decor and vintage garden items. Read more

A big change is coming to uptown Mount Dora at Highland Street and 5th Avenue. Mount Dora Center for the Arts (MDCA) will relocate to the vacant gas station once renovations are complete, but it declined to provide basic information on the project. In 2021, MDCA sold its downtown 5th Avenue building to G3 Development and stated the developer would build a customized two-story building for MDCA to lease behind the old one. That didn't come to fruition, so a new location was found. Read more about the original building's sale in the archived article here.

Ferran Park will be the venue for Eustis Hometown Comedy & Music Festival on April 13 from 5-9pm. Residents are encouraged to bring lawn chairs to enjoy belly laughs on the lakefront.

The local wildflower season is upon us, so now is the perfect time for a leisurely drive down one of the area's many scenic rural roads to enjoy the blooms. For a few local roads that often boast various wildflowers during the short season, click here.

Want to help your local community? Save May 4 for Empty Bowls, a unique fundraiser to help bridge the hunger gap in Lake County. The fun community event will take place in Donnelly Park. Read more

Mount Dora's political season has officially kicked off with the announcement that James Homich is challenging incumbent Mayor Crissy Stile. Homich, the City's former vice mayor, is running to oppose new high-density development in Mount Dora, according to his press release. Marc Crail is officially running for re-election in District 4 and by press time, no one had put their hat in the ring for District 1 or 5. Anyone interested in running for any of the council seats up for re-election can learn about the districts and basic requirements here.

Next month watch for the inaugural Mount Dora Corn Festival, a ticketed two-day event filled with corn-themed foods, contests, sweet corn, and live music. Admission is $18 for adults and $9 for kids ages 4 to 9 years old.

Scroll down for local Government Buzz. Be sure to follow Mount Dora Buzz's Facebook page and its Instagram for local updates.

After almost two years serving as the City’s Interim Police Chief, Mike Gibson was officially named Police Chief last month. Gibson, a humble and respected law enforcement professional with decades of experience, took the helm of the department in June, 2022, after former Police Chief Brett Meade resigned amid a dispute with the City Manager at the time, Patrick Comiskey. The dispute stemmed over the legality of an investigative process the City Manager sought to initiate. The dispute resulted in a lawsuit against the City that is still ongoing.

A magistrate is expected to rule this month after a hearing pertaining to Amco Development's proposed project on S.R. 46, the largest proposed development in the city. The hearing was sought by the developer after Mount Dora City Council previously voted against a compromise with Amco. The vote was 4-3 with Council members Bryant, Walker, Cataldo, and Dawson prevailing in their vote against the large-scale development compromise. Mayor Stile and council members Rolfson and Crail voted in favor of it.

Be sure to check Mount Dora Buzz's government page regularly to find out what's happening at Mount Dora City Hall. Scroll down for the 'Buzz' about new development.

Big congrats to Desaray Asay, a 12-year volunteer for the Mount Dora High School Agriculture Department and Future Farmers of America (FFA). She was one of three finalists for statewide recognition as Florida’s Volunteer of the Year, bringing Mount Dora High its third major personnel recognition this school year. Read more

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