AUGUST UPDATE: News For Mount Dora, Tavares & Eustis

- Get ready Lake County!  Downtown Tavares is about to get a big attraction.  The beautiful Dora Queen, an 80-foot, New Orleans-style riverboat replica, is currently booking socially-distanced cruises for August & September. Read more

-  It's that time of year when readers get to share some love with their favorite local businesses.  The Best of Mount Dora voting starts now!   This year, small businesses need support and recognition more than ever, so please be sure to vote.  Click here for your ballot   Winners will be announced on Mount Dora Buzz's Facebook page and the September issue.

-  Lake County Schools delayed reopening until August 24.   Parents of the County's public school students had four instructional options to choose from including attending traditional schools and virtual school.  Here is the result of the choices.   

-  Creativity is contagious in Mount Dora, a city with more than its share of talented artists and musicians.  That was the case in one neighborhood in its quaint historic district recently.  Creative Yard art popped up and is now giving passersby something smile about.  Read more

- As Floridians, we've all heard the typical list for hurricane preparations like stocking up on batteries, water and canned food.   So Mount Dora Buzz compiled its own list of much lesser-known, but ingenious and practical tips that you need to know.  Read more.   

-  In an effort to support local breweries during this time when bars can't serve alcohol to be consumed on premises, Wolf Branch Brewing is highlighted as our local hot spot this month.  The brewery has tap rooms in downtown Eustis and Mount Dora and has still found a way to serve up cold ones to beer lovers while staying compliant.   Read more

- From nature to street photography, there's no shortage of amazing local subjects for great photography.  If you've captured a great shot of Mount Dora, Tavares or Eustis, email it to us and we may use it as a Pic of the Day with your photo credit!   Get more info 

- Mount Dora's Art in the Alley has been postponed until sometime this fall.   Watch the entertainment calendar to see when it and other local events resume.
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- After 27 years with Mount Dora Police Department, Chief Robert Bell is retiring on August 7.   Career law enforcement professional Brett Meade was named as the City's Acting Chief and is currently conducting a thorough review of the department.  Read more    

- Now is the time to get involved in your community. Mount Dora will have three City Council seats up for grabs in this year's election and they frequently are unopposed.  The paperwork is available now and due back at City Hall on August 14 at noon. There are no experience or education requirements, but there are 10 helpful things to know when considering whether to throw your hat in the ring.  Read more

-  Do you need 'buzz' for your business?  Enlist Mount Dora Buzz as your strategic partner to write your digital content, including web pages, blogs, email newsletters, social media, and more.  Need graphic design?  No worries, we do that, too!   Get more info
Scroll down for all the restaurant and business news.
© Mount Dora Buzz 2020

- Watch for a new juice spot to open in downtown Mount Dora.  The Juize Box is planning to open next door to the Donnelly House on 5th Avenue and offer juices, smoothies and more.  Stay tuned for an opening date.  

-  Build out is underway for a new craft cocktail bar in downtown Mount Dora.  The bar will be located on the second floor of the building on the corner of 4th and Donnelly Street.  Due to COVID-19,  bars still cannot serve alcohol to be consumed on premises, but the new establishment may be ready when the restrictions are lifted. 

- St. Nick's Holiday Shoppe is now open in the former home of Naples Soap Company
which moved just up the street next to The Spice & Tea Exchange.  

- It sure didn't go far, but it did move up in square footage.  Becker's Best Shoes on Donnelly Street moved next door to a larger location where it's now able to keep its inventory on site. 
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Scroll down for more 'Buzz' including cool local finds, news from City Hall, and a shout-out to a deserving local resident or business.

© Mount Dora Buzz 2020

-  Mount Dora lost one of its passionate community-minded residents.  Former Mount Dora City Council member Marie Rich, passed away suddenly from injuries sustained in a car accident in July.  Rich was a long-time advocate for animals and Rich's Critters, her non-profit that helped them, will continue.  

-  The CIty of Mount Dora will be maintaining or removing some visibly diseased oak trees from Overlook near 11th Avenue. These trees were identified in an E-Sciences Report by the City-contracted arborist to either have damage or rot in limbs or possibly more.  The City will be following its tree removal permitting process and the issue will be discussed at the City Council's public August 4 meeting. 

- The deadline for voters to request a vote-by-mail ballot for the August primary is 5 p.m. on August 8.   Vote-by-mail refers to casting a ballot received by mail or picked up at the elections office. In Lake County, a request for a ballot can be made online or via email, phone, mail, fax or in-person at the Lake County Supervisor of Elections office in Tavares.   The completed ballot must be returned to the Supervisor of Elections no later than 7 p.m. on August 18.
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Stay in the loop all month on Mount Dora Buzz' government page here.  Or scroll down for more 'Buzz' including cool local finds and this month's shout-out to a deserving local resident or business.

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