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

May 1 brings the Founder's Day Citrus Festival to Lake County. Head to the historic Howey Mansion for the free event with craft vendors, food, free tours and local history information. Read more

It's a bird. It's a plane. Look to the skies over Lake Dora on May 1 for an impressive series of Airborne jumps from a vintage D-day plane as it drops dozens of parachutists just off Wooton Park in Tavares. Read more

Medical marijuana dispensaries had been popping up in Florida for a few years, but remained conspicuously absent in north Lake County. Now that has changed with the opening of Trulieve in Eustis which will serve patients from across the area. Read more

Time to cool off! Tavares Splash Park in Wooton Park has reopened on weekends from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m until June 6. Then it will be open every day through August 8.

Last month, Mount Dora Planning and Zoning Commission voted (4-3) to pursue an ordinance to increase building heights in the City, including downtown. The ordinance isn't necessary to construct a a downtown parking garage. In February the commission had instructed the City's planning staff to bring back an ordinance to allow increased building heights to attract development. In response, the City's staff created two options for the ordinance. Option A had significantly fewer building restrictions and was more developer-friendly. Option B had more design requirements and protections in place to protect and enhance Mount Dora's design standards. Option A prevailed by one vote and the final version will be voted on in at a public meeting in May. If approved, it will advance to the city council. Read more

This month's Day Trippin' feature is a pristine spot that's a perfect get-away during Central Florida's sizzling summer months. This quick road trip from Mount Dora is an easy 90-minute drive away. Read more

This spring has brought great news for downtown Mount Dora merchants and restaurants. Typically, the downtown area has a short six-month tourist season, but this year there are still throngs of people visiting after Easter which is typically when snowbirds return to the north and local business sharply tapers off. There is a collective finger-crossing that this is the first year of a longer season for downtown businesses that thrive when feet are on the street.

Mount Dora recently announced its new Police Chief. Chief Brett Meade brings with him an impressive law enforcement background and a demonstrated desire and ability to reach out to the community and fix the problems at the department that he inherited. Read more

After St. Patrick's vaccine site closed in Mount Dora in April, the Lake Square Mall site is also expected to close for first doses after May 4 and second doses on May 25. No appointment is necessary. After the closure, check out Mount Dora Buzz's local Covid-19 resources page to stay in the loop about updates on vaccine sites and the ever-changing process. Visit the resource page here.

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

If you're still in the search for the perfect cup of joe, soon there will be one more Mount Dora spot to try. Ireland-based Edge Coffee is opening a downtown location on Third Avenue in the former site of the Magical Meat Boutique. The business is currently in the build-out stage and the plan is for it to be dispensing copious amounts of caffeine by August.

Mount Dora Center for the Arts announced it was selling its historic Fifth Avenue building to G3 Development. The deal is expected to close by the end of June. Read more

Many local restaurants have been struggling to fill open positions for servers and kitchen staff, which has forced some to adjust their operations. Among them, Jeremiah's is closing its kitchen earlier and Chick-Fil-A has kept its inside dining area closed due to the lack of workers. The shortage isn't just affecting eateries. Wawa has offered a signing bonus and a COVID-19 vaccine financial incentive to attract workers. Local job postings in many fields are posted daily on Mount Dora Word of Mouth.

Meat lovers should keep an eye out for P.J.'s Chophouse to open in downtown Eustis on Magnolia Street in the old Tillie's Tavern space.

Scroll down for local government buzz, Best of Mount Dora winners, links to more local entertainment and useless local facts.

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The City of Mount Dora will host a special Town Hall meeting that will cover a variety of local hot topics. The public is encouraged to attend the meeting at the Mount Dora Community Building on May 11 at 5:30 p.m. Read more

On May 19, Mount Dora Planning & Zoning Commission (P&Z) will vote on an ordinance to increase downtown's building height limit from the current 35 feet to 55 feet. The public is encouraged to attend the meeting and residents may speak on the issue prior to the vote. The meeting starts at 10 a.m. in the Council Chambers at City Hall on Baker Street. Read more

Lake County Libraries have kicked off their Fines for Food program now through May 31. If you have overdue books, now is the time to donate food to help families in need and get your fines forgiven. Read more

Mount Dora City Council named Charles Revell Interim City Manager and the Slavin Management Consultants were chosen as the search firm to identify candidates for the City Manager position after the council parted ways with former City Manager Robin Hayes.. The process is expected to take between six and eight months.

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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