SEPTEMBER UPDATE: News & Events for Mount Dora, Tavares & Eustis

​The votes are in! Last month, readers cast their votes for their favorite local businesses, places and more in the annual Best of Mount Dora awards. Drum roll, please. Here's the list of this year's winners. Big congrats to all! Up next are the annual Best of Tavares and Best of Eustis awards.

Last month a public presentation was given on the Innovation Trail, one of the proposed bicycle and pedestrian trails being studied for Mount Dora and the surrounding area. This trail is different from the possible Tav-Dora Trail, but would be a part of its connectivity. Read more

Mount Dora Buzz reported last month that the popular Mount Dora Craft Fair in October was cancelled by the organizers due to logistics and the lack of vendor participation due to COVID-19. Read more. The good news for craft lovers is that a different and smaller craft fair will be held in Mount Dora this fall at Renningers. Read more.

Mount Dora Buzz has exciting news for Eustis diners. A new waterfront restaurant is coming to the shores of Lake Eustis. Lake Eustis Waterfront Grill is now under construction and it's expected to open in the Spring of 2021. Read more

Another big annual event, Mount Dora Bicycle Festival, made some major adjustments in order to bring cyclists to Mount Dora this fall. The large organized rides during the festival's long weekend in October have been replaced with smaller rides and activities throughout the entire month. Read more

This year, event planning is more challenging than ever. Two of the area's non-profits that promote the arts have put their creativity to work to raise funds. Mount Dora Center for the Arts is hosting an online auction later this month (read more) and Lake County Museum of Art is hosting a "Bubbles & Brew" fundraiser in October. In the meantime, if you need an 'art fix', check out the beautiful new mural in downtown Mount Dora. Read more For pics of more of the planned murals as they begin to pop up, follow Mount Dora Buzz on Instagram.

Lake County registered voters interested in voting by mail in the General Election on November 3 can request a ballot now from Lake County Supervisor of Elections. Voters need to make sure their signature on the ballot matches the signature on file with the Elections Office. Read more

Art lovers will see a bit of normalcy this month, as Lake County Museum of Art opens its new art exhibit, "Spectral Evidence." The downtown Tavares museum will have a opening reception on September 3. Read more.

This month's "Shout-Out" goes to the unsung heroes at Lake County Schools. The District's teachers, principals, guidance counselors, support staff, and non-instructional employees have shown grace under pressure and set positive examples to students of how to react in difficult situations and care for their community. They are all rock stars and we wish them a safe and successful school year.

Two of downtown Mount Dora's favorite merchants are preparing for a big change. The couple is making plans for a big lifestyle change and we wish them the very best in their exciting new adventure. Read more

Sushi lovers have a decadent new roll to indulge in while in downtown Mount Dora. The fresh Lobster Roll at J.K. Thai & Sushi restaurant on 5th Avenue is a work of art to behold and delicious to eat. We love their tuna tataki, too! The seafood quality is excellent and the portion is perfect.

Scroll down for Government Buzz and link to entertainment calendar

Watch for construction to begin soon on Timberwalk, the new 170-acre residential development on Round Lake Road next to Round Lake Charter School. The 376-home subdivision was approved last year. Read more

Eudora Groves, an upcoming 154-unit apartment and townhouse development on approximately 15 acres of land along Eudora Road, was approved by the Mount Dora City Council by a 5-2 vote. Council members Crissy Stile and Pam Burtnett opposed the project due to their traffic and school overcrowding concerns.

It's budget time! This year local city councils are working on setting tax rates in the face of revenue losses due to COVID-19. The final millage rates will be adopted in September after public meetings. Here's some helpful information for City of Mount Dora residents about their tax rate. Read more

Mount Dora Police Department welcomed Deputy Chief Al Rollins last week who is the newest addition to MDPD’s chain of command.  Chief Brett Meade also recently joined the department and is conducting an internal review following whistleblower complaints. Read more

New public restrooms will be completed this month at the parking lot on Third Avenue and Baker Street in downtown Mount Dora.

Want to know more about what's happening or coming up at City Hall? Check out Mount Dora Buzz's government page.

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