MARCH EDITION: News & Events for Mount Dora, Tavares & Eustis

​Some things never change and shouldn't. Mount Dora Yacht Club's annual Sailing Regatta is March 27 & 28. It marks the 68th year sailboats will gracefully race across Lake Dora.

Spring is coming and Lake County will have a lot of fresh local produce ready for harvest. Mount Dora Buzz has come up with a list of some of the season's best local fruits and veggies, plus the top spots to find them. Read more

We asked and you answered. Readers cast their votes for the "Best Bloody Marys" in Mount Dora, Tavares and Eustis. Drum roll, please.....and the big winner is Pisces RIsing in downtown Mount Dora. Not only did their cocktail take top praise, but the restaurant's outdoor deck with its view of Lake Dora is the perfect venue to imbibe a Bloody Mary on a Sunday afternoon. Other top finishers were Twisted Biscuit, Dora Queen and Magical Meat Boutique. Cheers to all!

In February, Mount Dora Planning & Zoning Commission (P&Z) asked city staff to prepare an ordinance that includes increasing downtown's building height limit from the current 35 feet to 55 feet, in order to accommodate future development. For reference, the three-story Renaissance Building (the tallest on Donnelly Street) is an estimated 35 feet, according to City officials and documents. Building heights do not have to be increased throughout downtown in order to construct a new parking garage. Read more

No worries if you notice something is missing from the downtown Tavares lakefront. The landmark Dora Queen isn't gone, it just moved from its dock next to the Tavares Pavilion to another nearby dock in front of Kalua Beach Club. The move is due to construction on the docks at Wooton Park.

Our new feature Day Trippin' showcases quick getaways, and March's locale is just 25 minutes away and offers something for everyone. It's perfect for an afternoon or the entire day When you're craving a change of scenery, but short on time, this one's for you. Read more

One of the area's most beautiful events of the festival season, Sunnyland Antique Boat Festival, takes place in Tavares every March. This year the popular event has been cancelled due to COVID-19. Watch for them to return to Lake Dora next year.

As mentioned last month, Mount Dora Buzz is collaborating on "Cottages of Mount Dora" to provide a snapshot of the city's past using the quaint and colorful exteriors of some of the city's historic cottages. Once flowers are in bloom and foliage returns, we'll be out taking pics. If you haven't already nominated a cottage that exudes the city's charm, please nominate your favorite by emailing us the address with "Mount Dora Cottage" in the subject line.

As Covid-19 vaccinations continue in Lake County, stay tuned to Mount Dora Buzz's local Covid-19 resources page to stay in the loop about updates on sites for first and second doses, processes, and contact information. Visit the resource page here.

Scroll down for the buzz about what new eateries are in the area and more....

It's hard to miss all of the commotion in the parking lot of the Target in Mount Dora. The construction is for a Panda Express fast food restaurant and a strip for four other tenants. Read more.

As Mount Dora continues to cement its image as an artists' village, another new gallery, Studio ArtFarm opened its doors in downtown. The large space on 4th Avenue will feature art by its owners, as well as featured artists. Read more

Bubble tea lovers are anxious for the opening of Magic Tea Market later this month. The shop will feature all kinds of boba tea, slushes and more, plus prepacked savory snacks and treats from the Far East. Read more

Treasure Mart, a multi-vendor retail market in Eustis, opened an additional location in Mount Dora Plaza near the post office on Old US Highway 441. The sprawling space was still mostly empty at the end of February, but watch for more vendors to start filling up the market in the future.

Scroll down for local government buzz, the links to this month's event calendar and the Best of Mount Dora winners.

© Mount Dora Buzz 2021

​The City of Eustis is currently in the process of hiring a new police chief. In February, there were already 64 applicants for the city's top law enforcement position. In January, Eustis Police Chief, Gary Calhoun, hired in 2015, resigned to pursue other professional opportunities. City Manager, Ron Neibert appointed Captain Ken Birkhofer to serve as Eustis' interim Chief of Police until a new chief is hired.

Be sure to check Mount Dora Buzz's government page regularly to find out what's happening at Mount Dora City Hall. For Lake County Covid-19 information go to the resource page here.

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