Don't miss the last big Mount Dora event of the season on May 7 when the spring Craft Show comes to shady Gilbert Park. The one-day event hosted by Specialty Pop-Events features crafters, artists, food and other vendors under the oaks from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

It's that time of year again to show your favorite local businesses some big love by voting in the Best of Mount Dora Awards. The annual awards give bragging rights to all types of businesses including restaurants, bars, shops and more. Get your ballot here.

Spring has sprung and it's hard not to miss to the gorgeous wildflowers blanketing local fields and roadsides. If you're looking for the best spots to enjoy the blooms, here's a list of nearby country roads to drive to enjoy the colorful season. Read more. Another great place to see wildflowers right now is the Noonan Butterfly Garden at the W.T. Bland Library in Mount Dora.

As the U-pick blueberry season winds down later in May, the local blackberry season is just heating up at local farms. That berry U-pick season is open at Bear Tracks Blackberry Farm in Eustis which sells blackberries for $5 per pound on Tuesdays through Thursdays and weekends at $6 per pound. Blue Bayou Farms in Yalaha sells them them for $6 per pound daily.

Some new apartments may soon be available in Mount Dora. Parkview Apartments is a proposed project on Grandview Street on the vacant land across from Gilbert park (read more) and Bristol Park Apartments with 300 units has been proposed off U.S. 441.

Don't forget to celebrate Mom on Mother's Day on May 8. To help plan the perfect day, here's a cheat sheet on some of the best local Mother's Day outings and restaurants. Read more

This month Mount Dora Buzz is adding two new regular features in its monthly editions. The first is a Buzz Poll, a monthly survey question on hot local topics. The second new feature is the "Development Buzz" section to fill you in on interesting commercial and residential projects that have been proposed. You'll find both of these features further down in this edition.

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

This month brings the return of Mount Dora's Vintage Garden Show and ripe local blueberries. However, the annual Planes Trains & BBQ scheduled for downtown Tavares with two days of great food, an air show, and lively country music concerts has been postponed due to forecasted inclement weather. Read more

The annual Vintage Garden Show returns to Mount Dora with everything green thumbs need to get inspired to plant their gardens or decorate them. Read more. Meanwhile, to protect your landscaping, be on the lookout for the young Eastern Lubbers that are now hatching. They will decimate your plants once the ravenous insects mature. Read more

Get ready, berry lovers! Lake County's local blueberry season just kicked off and continues into May. Don't put off a fun day outdoors picking fresh blueberries while the temperatures are perfect. Here's a list of the top three local U-pick blueberry farms to visit. Read more

Kudos to the Mount Dora businesses, residents and visitors who donated over $2,000 to World Central Kitchen to help feed Ukrainian refugees. If you're interested, you can help, too. Get more info

One of the many benefits of small-town family life happens this month in Mount Dora with the return of its annual community Easter Egg Hunt at W.T. Bland Library. Kids of all ages and abilities are invited to take part and meet the Easter Bunny and get a free book. Read more

After a recommendation from the City's Building Advisory Committee, created late last year, Mount Dora City Council is expected to discuss downtown building heights, as well as whether to put the issue before voters this November. The discussion is expected to happen at its upcoming public meeting on April 5 at City Hall at 6 p.m.

Scroll down for new local eateries, plus local Government Buzz, this month's history article and the Best of Mount Dora winners.

The local event season is officially underway and later this month the holiday events kick off with Light Up Eustis. Tavares will host its on the first weekend in December. Mount Dora didn't respond to multiple requests for information about its traditional Light Up event. The unofficial word is the event is cancelled again this year. Meanwhile, you can find the local Holiday Event Guide for Mount Dora, Tavares and Eustis here and get updates on Mount Dora Buzz's Facebook page.

Drivers on the north end of Donnelly Street in Mount Dora can't help but notice the increased construction activity. A new pedestrian bridge and entrance feature is currently being built near the existing entrance signage. Read more and see the initial rendering here

The favorite annual event for landscapers and plant enthusiasts returns on November 13 and 14. Mount Dora Plant and Garden Fair features much more than hundreds of native and exotic plants. Read more

This year Mount Dora voters have been inundated with campaign materials which can make it hard to distinguish the candidates' positions. Mount Dora Buzz has an updated article on the 10 key similarities and differences between Mount Dora's candidates to make it a bit easier to differentiate them. Read more. Remember, Election Day is November 2 and polls are open 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Vintage and antique lovers will descend on Mount Dora on November 19 through 21 as the sprawling Antique Extravanganza returns to Renningers Antique Center. It's the perfect chance to find unique holiday gifts. Read more

November kicks of Mount Dora Buzz's annual Hoodie and Jacket Drive. This year we'll be collecting new and "like-new" items for local school kids ages 4 to 18 years old. If you're able, please go through your kids' closets for hoodies or jackets that they may have outgrown or shop the clearance racks to help the less fortunate kids in our community stay warm this winter. Our goal is always to give them warm clothing that they can take pride in wearing to school. Donations can be dropped off again at Barrel of Books & Games, located at 128 W. 4th Avenue in downtown Mount Dora, from November 3 to November 20. Thank you for any help you can provide.

Last month Segway of Central Florida, located in downtown Mount Dora, had a fire as a result of a lithium ion battery. Luckily, no one was injured. The retailer and service business has set up temporary digs across the street at 133 W. 5th Avenue while the original location is being restored.

Mount Dora is celebrating a big birthday this month! Mount Dora High School is having its Centennial Celebration on November 20. The event will feature favorite local musicians, food, silent auction and more. The party will benefit the school's stadium improvement project. Read more

Scroll down for new local eateries and stores, plus local Government Buzz, the Best of Mount Dora winners, and more.

Drum roll, please! Mount Dora Buzz readers cast their votes for the Best of Mount Dora in categories ranging from dining and libations to shopping and pampering spa services. Now is the time to discover who earned the title the "Best of Mount Dora!" Find the winners here.

This local season of Friday Night Lights is expected to be better than ever as Mount Dora High celebrates its 100-year anniversary. Take in the local high school games and their bands starting this month. Find the schedules here. To usher in its centennial year, Mount Dora High School has launched a community campaign to help raise funds to improve its almost 50-year-old stadium and auxiliary facilities. Read more

With a growing number of Mount Dora art studios popping up, aspiring artists can now get their creative juices flowing in six different downtown venues offering art classes. The art studios welcome beginners and experienced artists with diverse classes ranging from painting, glass and ceramics to jewelry making, mosaics and photography. Next time you're downtown, pop into the studios to inquire about their schedule of classes.

This November's Mount Dora election has attracted a notable difference in the candidates for both of the races. Two local small business owners have stepped up to put their hat in the ring for the mayor and city council positions currently up for grabs. Read more

This month's Day Trippin' location doesn't require too much effort. Nature-loving residents just have to travel a quick 15 minutes to be transported a world away. It's the perfect way to spend a weekend morning or afternoon. Read more

In an impressive grassroots feat, Mount Dora residents far surpassed the number of voter signatures needed to let voters decide whether to reinforce the existing 35' building height limit in the historic district by adding it to the city's charter. Residents created a Facebook page to provide updates to interested residents and the media about the initiative. Get the details here

Need a friend? Now through September 19 the Lake County Animal Shelter is offering free pet adoptions to loving homes as part of a national initiative. Get details

As part of Mount Dora Buzz's recurring column on Mount Dora's throwbacks, learn more about the city's historic Parkview Building and what its most recent tenants are. Read more

Scroll down for new local eateries and stores, plus government buzz, the Best of Mount Dora winners, and more.

She's been on the local music scene since 2014 and has continued to develop her immense talents as a singer-songwriter. Mount Dora Buzz sat down with musician Kelly Jarrard for a relaxed convo about her work, life and a fun round of "Would you Rather..." Read more

In late August, Mount Dora Center for the Arts is planning to reopen its gallery next door to its old space. Watch Mount Dora Buzz's Instagram and Facebook for an opening date. 

It's that time! The annual Best of Mount Dora  award will be announced in the September edition of Mount Dora Buzz and covers the best of everything from restaurants, shopping and more. 

August is typically the busiest month of hurricane season and by now, you likely know the standard preparations. So here's our list of lesser-known hurricane hacks that you don't want to go without. Read more

Of all of Mount Dora's historic buildings, only one was dubbed "The Castle." Although the mansion no longer sits atop the hill over Old 441, many locals still remember it and the rumors of its haunting. Read more

Mount Dora's election season has officially kicked off. Incumbent Mayor Cathy Hoechst has been challenged by Crissy Stile, a downtown business owner and former Mount Dora council member. Residents interested in running for City Council have until August 13 at noon to file the paperwork for this November's non-partisan election.  For more

For this month's Day Trippin' feature to escape the heat, we headed west for an adventurous aquatic escape that's well worth the short drive. Read more

Negotiations between the City of Mount Dora and G3 Development over their proposed large-scale “district” downtown for parking, office, retail and apartments officially came to an end on July 26 when the company's principal announced he was withdrawing the controversial bid. This could pave the way for the City to issue a new Request for Proposals in the future that has a more detailed scope for a parking garage and attract more than one bid. You can read more details about the withdrawn bid here.

Scroll down for new local eateries and stores, plus government buzz, last year's Best of Mount Dora winners, and more.