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

Thanksgiving is November 24 and the weekend following the holiday is when local cities will turn on their twinkling lights. Light Up Eustis will be November 25 followed by Light Up Mount Dora on November 26. This year Mount Dora brings a new twist to its annual event. Learn more

There's still time to take in some of the local Fall festivals and farm activities for kids and adults. Get the complete roundup of the best local Fall events here. To see the schedule of this year's local holiday events, click here.

Holiday shopping kicks off with Art in the Arbor on November 4 in downtown Mount Dora. The fun event combines talented local painters, potters and jewelry designers selling their art, great wine, craft brews and live music in the courtyard at Maggie's Attic at 237 W. Alexander Street from 6-8 p.m.

November 8th is Election Day. A city charter amendment preserving building heights is on the ballot in Mount Dora. Comments on social media from both sides of the issue, as well as a PAC-sponsored forum in the Community Building last month, have presented a lot of dubious and confusing information to voters. Here are 14 important things to know about the referendum, as well as a copy of the proposed amendment, map of the pertinent area and other details. Read more

Residents that live in Mount Dora's District 3 will also elect a new City Council representative on election day. Lake County's early voting continues through November 5. If you need to find your Election Day polling place, click here.

Gardeners are more than ready for the cooler temps and the Mount Dora Plant & Garden Fair on November 12 and 13. The event offers everything anyone needs for their garden except green thumbs. Read more

If gardening isn't your thing, you're bound to find something of interest at the sprawling Antique Extravangza this month. This is the first of three "Extravos" of the season, so treasure hunters are anxious to uncover the event's many unique finds. Read more

'Tis the season of giving and the community has stepped up to organize the Mount Dora Community Toy Drive to help bring smiles to local kids in need this holiday season. Anyone able to donate new and unwrapped toys can do so at these convenient locations. All toys will go directly to kids in need in our local community.

Last month, Lake County Commission voted to approve Mount Dora Groves, a new development on parcels of land on both sides of U.S. 441 spanning from The Country Club of Mount Dora to the Loch Leven shopping center. The planned mixed-use development has 1,068 residential units and 150,000 square feet of commercial space.

Pick up a copy of the new Mount Dora Cookbook with 100% of the proceeds going to Mount Dora High School's stadium improvement project. The book features local recipes by Pisces Rising, Mount Dora Buzz and several familiar local residents. The book, available at Barrel of Books & Games, makes a great stocking stuffer and supports a good cause.

Scroll down for buzz on local eateries and stores, plus local Government Buzz, and the Best of Mount Dora winners. Be sure to follow Mount Dora Buzz's Instagram and Twitter for updates on local events and breaking news.

Soon Mount Dora, Tavares and Eustis will get a new restaurant and sports bar for dining and game watching. Miller's Ale House has proposed to build a location near the border of all three cities. Read more.

Watch Mount Dora Buzz's Facebook page for a sneak peek of the food and ambiance at the new Lake Eustis Waterfront Grille.

Scroll down for this month's featured events, hot topics at City Hall, stellar local businesses, new development buzz and the Best of Mount Dora.

Mount Dora City Council voted in October to keep the existing plan for Mount Dora Fire Department to move into its new station #35 on S.R. 19 and keep its Donnelly Street Station $34.

After Lake County Commission voted to approve the northern portion of the proposed new Mount Dora Groves development last month, Mount Dora Buzz published the Lake County ordinance that outlines the requirements of the project. The ordinance includes the developer's concessions made to the City of Mount Dora. Read more

Be sure to check Mount Dora Buzz's government page regularly to find out what's happening at Mount Dora City Hall.

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