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

New performing arts center takes center stage in Eustis
North Lake County has a new theater for live shows, including plays, musicals, dance and comedic performances. Hideaway Performing Arts Center, owned by two local theatrical families, opened recently at 431 N. Plaza Drive in Eustis and will have classes in addition to performances.

Iconic historic church in Mount Dora to see big changes
It is arguably the most treasured church in Mount Dora. The little wooden white church at the southern entrance into the city has sat vacant even after an effort to rehab the church in 2015. Now an Altamonte Springs congregation plans to demolish it in order to build a larger version and hold worship services. Read more
Residents seek injunction against Mount Dora's Amco development

Four residents filed for an injunction seeking to stop the City of Mount Dora from proceeding with the recently approved Amco Development on State Road 46. The controversial project includes building heights of over 200 feet in an area where 100 feet was the maximum allowed. The residents are represented by local attorney and Mount Dora mayoral candidate James Homich.

Discover lesser-known hurricane tips
August launches the most active part of the Atlantic hurricane season, and this year expert forecasters predict an above normal hurricane season with 17-25 named storms. Check out the helpful list of lesser-known, but very important, hurricane tips and tricks to be more prepared here.

Take an easy day-trip to the Chihuly Collection
Looking for a fun road trip? Jump in your car for a day trip to downtown St. Petersburg to take in the permanent exhibit of Dale Chihuly, the world-renowned glass artist. Read more

Mount Dora Center for the Arts and G3 MD file suits against each other
In March 2022, the non-profit Mount Dora Center for the Arts (MDCA) sold their downtown building to G3 MD, LLC (G3), whose manager and registered agent is local resident Gerry Guenther. The deal had various components to it, including that G3 was to build a custom, 4,000 square-foot building for MDCA. The new building was to be directly behind the old one in the existing parking lot. Now, according to recent lawsuits, each party is claiming the other reneged on different material aspects of the agreement, including that MDCA's new building never came to fruition. The arts center's current president is Cathy Hoechst, a current Mount Dora mayoral candidate. Watch the Mount Dora Buzz website and Facebook page for updates.

Eustis preps for big mess
Messy Mania returns to Eustis this month. The third annual mother-son messy event takes place on August 31 and gets the duos to dig deep into their messy sides with different challenges and obstacle courses, They finish by getting hosed down by Eustis Fire Department. In addition to messy fun, there will also be games, activities, food and a glow after-party. Learn more

​Discover this month's local entertainment calendar
The area is full of fun weekly, monthly and special events that you don't want to miss.  Check the local entertainment calendar regularly for updates.

Babcock Home Furniture & More closing in Eustis
After the retailer's parent company, Conns Furniture, filed for Chapter 11 Bankruptcy, the announced closure of all 500 locations of Babcock Home Furniture & More, including those in downtown Eustis, Leesburg and Wildwood.

Pinesmoke Bee Company opened new location in Eustis
Last month a local apiary, Pinesmoke Bee Company, opened a retail and tasting location in Eustis. In addition to its local honey offerings, it also serves mead, a type of wine crafted from fermented honey and water. The business is located at 117 N. Bay Street.

Life Kitchen app gives health information on local restaurants
With a simple download, diners in Florida, including the Golden Triangle, can get easy access to restaurants' health inspection reports. Life Kitchen mobile app takes all Florida restaurants' most recent minor and serious violations (or lack thereof) to formulate a grade from A to F for the restaurant. Users can search restaurant by area. The app also allows diners to click for more details about any restaurant's inspection report and updates the grades after new inspection reports are issued. Download here

Scroll down for more local Buzz, events and most recent Best of Mount Dora winners.

Local Dining Guide

Mount Dora High earns coveted "A" grade
Shout out to the teachers, students, administrators and parents of Mount Dora High School for its impressive “A” rating by Florida Department of Education!
It was an excellent way for Marlene Straughan to end her tenure as MDHS principal and hand it off to Kyle Bracewell, who will no doubt continue the school’s excellence.

Mount Dora Police create a safe space to complete online transactions
In its ongoing effort to make the public safer, Mount Dora Police Department created a Safety Exchange Zone to provide a safe place for buyers and sellers to exchange items for transactions they have made on online marketplaces. Read more

Mount Dora to launch parking shuttle program
In an effort to provide partial relief to downtown Mount Dora's parking woes, the City of Mount Dora will be launching a year-long parking shuttle program in October. Read more. You can discover all of the free public parking lots here.

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