Dc welcome back

| 10.25.15

Welcome BackA snowbird’s guide to Lake and Sumter counties

Take a fishing trip on an area lake

Leesburg woman in

Top 10 at Miss America

Emogene Stegall to retire

Attend a local high school sporting event

Performing Arts Center opensViaPort Florida has big plans

A review of some of the best offerings around Lake and Sumter counties. The list includes an overview of the arts and entertainment offerings, some of the great parks, local landmarks and places in Central Florida to take a day trip.

THE BEST BETS AROUND LAKE, SUMTER

Check out some of the local landmarks

Take a day trip to the beach

Bored? Not in Lake County

2 WELCOMEBACK•OCTOBER2015

ROXANNE [email protected]

If you’re always on the go, Lake and Sumter counties have a lot to offer. That’s because spread throughout both counties are plenty of venues to cater to the many tastes of locals and visitors alike.

DOWNTOWN MOUNT DORA

For those who love shopping for antiques, gifts, art and jew-elry, downtown Mount Dora is an excellent choice. This quaint town on Lake Dora features an array of gift and specialty shops, stores and boutiques.

Restaurants, pubs, bakeries, ice cream shops, gift shops, art galleries and unique boutiques line the streets and, because of its hilly makeup, the view of Lake Dora from certain points is prime.

People may also like to visit

the nearby Mount Dora Golf Club or book an evening cruise along the mile-long Dora Canal, or enjoy vintage train rides and horse-drawn carriage rides on the weekends. Local restaurants, many offering ex-otic gourmet fare, often feature live entertainment.

Mount Dora also boasts several nationally recognized festivals, including the Mount Dora Arts Festival in Febru-ary. Other events include an antique boat show, antique car show, sailing regatta, golf tournament, bicycle festival, crafts fair and the Christmas lighting festival.

TAVARESTavares, the Lake County

seat, is filled with the hustle and bustle of government ac-tivity. But this waterfront town is not lacking when it comes to entertainment. The waterfront area at Wooton Park offers plenty of opportunities for fun for the entire family.

Cool off in the water at the splash park, take a seaplane or steam train ride, go on a boat tour or have a picnic with the lake as a backdrop.

The city hosts events throughout the year that focus on world class fishing, water sports, music and nature.

A recent addition to Tavares is the 50-acre Seaplane Base

& Marina, at Wooton Park, an FAA-certified public airport and 88-slip boat marina owned and run by the city.

Seaplane rides are available, offering visitors a unique view of Lake County from the air. Visitors can also rent boat slips, kayaks and canoes.

DOWNTOWN CLERMONT/ WATERFRONT PARK

Historic downtown Clermont is lined with shops filled with antiques, gifts and consign-ment items. Several locally owned restaurants offer home-made food, ice cream, cup-cakes, cheese and chocolate. New to the downtown area are tea, tutu and yarn shops, but old favorites carry everything from clothing and accessories to books and antiques.

Downtown Clermont is also home to City Hall and the Clermont City Center, where the South Lake Chamber of Commerce offices are located.

For a little culture, check out the Moonlight Players Ware-house Theater on Montrose Street in downtown Clermont.

Waterfront Park is also the starting point of most of Som-mer Sports’ triathlons and the venue for one of Clermont’s sig-nature events, Pig on the Pond for the Kids, a barbecue com-petition and carnival organized as a scholarship fundraiser for local high school students with plans to attend college.

DOWNTOWN LEESBURGVisitors can shop at numer-

ous stores that line Main Street, offering clothing, antiques, gifts, office equipment and specialty shops, art galleries and photog-raphy studios. There are also many restaurants and bars.

Downtown Leesburg is also home to the local library, banks, Beacon College, a funeral home, government and civic offices, legal and medical offices, real estate agencies, salons and spas, a senior living facility, churches and enter-tainment services.

The local fire and police de-partments are also downtown and the nearby Melon Patch Theater offers true community theater productions of musi-cals and plays.

Each week, the Downtown Partnership puts on events like the Leesburg Saturday Morning Market, where local farmers, fishermen, craftsmen, bakers, artists and others gather at Towne Square, the heart of historic downtown Leesburg to offer fruit and vegetables from area farms.

The city also hosts Food Truck-n-Flick night monthly, an event that features cuisine from area food trucks and a free movie on the city’s 24-foot outdoor screen.

Many festivals throughout the year keep downtown Leesburg hopping, including Bikefest, the annual Mardi Gras Ball in February, Cornfest, the great scarecrow build-off, expo and boo bash in October, the Craft Beer, Wine and Food Festival and the Leesburg Main Street Christmas Stroll and parade, both in November.

BORED? NOT HEREBest bets around Lake County

A guide to Lake County’s many entertainment and arts offerings

WELCOMEBACK•OCTOBER2015 3

Best bets around Lake County


There are many parks, boat ramps and trails across Lake County. Here is a short list of fea-tured parks/trails, but a full list of county parks can be viewed at www.lakecountyfl.gov.

The Florida Scrub-Jay Trail, run by Bruce and Cathy Brown, is dedicated to at-tracting and protecting the state’s only endemic birds (birds found only in Florida) and threatened species. The Browns opened the Florida Scrub-Jay Trail in Clermont in April 2003 with a grant from the National Wildlife Federa-tion. Visitors can experience the Florida Scrub-Jay Trail

Saturday through Wednesday each week from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. or by appointment.

The trailhead is at 11490 Monte Vista Road in Cler-mont. For information, call 352-429-5566.

Lake Louisa State Park is built around several lakes, including Lake Louisa, the largest in a chain of 13 lakes. The lake itself is designated an Outstanding Florida Waterway. Along with Lake Hammond and Lake Dixie, it provides opportunities for fishing, canoeing and kayaking. Fish-ing is permitted in four of the park’s six lakes.

Primitive camping facili-ties are available, and hikers can explore more than 25 miles of trails. Throughout the year, Lake Louisa hosts many triathlons, races and other community events. The park also has a full-facility 60-site campground and 20 furnished cabins for rent.

Camping and cabin reserva-tions can be made at www.ReserveAmerica.com or by calling 800-326-3521, TDD 888-433-0287. The park is on U.S. Highway 27, seven miles south of State Road 50.

Located just 20 minutes north of Leesburg, the 450,000-acre Ocala National Forest attracts more than 2 million visitors a year. Estab-lished in 1908, it is the oldest national forest east of the Mississippi.

The forest has a number of picnic areas and hiking trails, as well as camping, swimming, fishing, canoeing, horseback riding, a visitor center and bookstore. For information, go to www.fs.usda.gov.

Venetian Gardens in Lees-burg is one of Central Florida’s most unusual parks.

Located on the shores of Lake Harris, this 100-acre facility features boat ramps, a beach, baseball fields, tennis

courts, shuffleboard courts, a pool and a cultural center. During the holidays, the park is illuminated with more than 500,000 miniature lights.

The annual Wings and Wild-flowers Festival each October attracts thousands interested in the birding, wildflower and nature world.

Venetian Gardens is at 201 Dixie Ave. in Leesburg. For in-formation, call 352-728-9885.

The Seaplane Base & Marina on Lake Dora is part of Wooton Park in Tavares. It is an FAA-certified airport.

The seaplane base covers an area of 50 acres and is 1 nautical mile southeast of the central business district of Tavares.

Seaplane rides give visitors the opportunity to see Lake County from a different per-spective. The Seaplane Base & Marina is at 150 E. Ruby Street in Tavares.

For information, call 352-742-6267.

THE GREAT OUTDOORSFrom nature trails to boating, the area has a park for everything


D O N A L D > CANCER

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D021715




THE HISTORIC VILLAGEClermont’s Historic Village,

at the corner of West Avenue and Osceola Street, offers a glimpse into Clermont’s his-tory through free tours of the seven buildings located there. They include:

› The Townsend House, home to Clermont’s first black settlers, James and Sallie Townsend.

› The Kern House. Built around 1895 on Montrose Street, it was home to Clermont’s first white settlers, Alexander and Eleonora Kern.

› The original Coo-per Memorial Library, originally built in 1914 on West Desoto Street.

› Clermont’s Train Depot stands in its original home at the Village.

› An original Quon-set Hut from World War II. which served

as barracks for servicemen stationed in Clermont.

› The outhouse replica, built between the Kern and Townsend houses by a local boy scout for his Eagle Scout project.

› The Herring Hooks Schoolhouse, a replica of the original 1881 Herring Hooks one room schoolhouse. Mrs. Thomas J. Hooks was the teacher at Clermont’s first school.

For information, call 352-593-8496.

THE CITRUS TOWERBuilt in 1956, the Citrus

Tower was one of Florida’s first man-made attractions. The observation decks offer an unrivaled view of 2,000 square miles.

Once the most famous landmark of the Orlando/Central Florida area, it was

built to allow visitors to observe the miles of or-ange groves. Today, the view is mostly of subur-

ban neighborhoods.Visitors can take eleva-

tor rides up to the obser-vation deck of the tower, where they can drop a coin down a wishing well and hear it fall all the way to the bottom.

The tower is at 141 S. U.S. Highway 27 in Cler-mont. For information, call 352-394-4061.

PRESIDENTS HALL OF FAME

The Presidents Hall of Fame is a wax museum that serves as a tribute to the presidents of the United States. Owners John and Jan Zwefiel are famed for building a 20-ton replica of the White House complete in every detail. Since 1976, and up until about a few years ago when it was brought home to the mu-seum, the miniature traveled the country and was displayed at various presidential libraries and at governmental events.

The museum is at 123 S. U.S. Highway 27 in Clermont. For information, call 352-394-2836.

NATIONAL TRAINING CENTER/LIVEWELL

FITNESS CENTERThe National Training Cen-

ter and the LiveWell Fitness Center are part of South Lake Hospital in Clermont.

The NTC is a state-of-the-art sports and fitness facility that’s become known as a warm-weather training destination for hundreds of high school, college and professional athletes from around the the world.

The NTC is at 1935 Don Wickham Drive in Cler-mont. For information, call 352-241-7144.

SEAPLANE BASE & MARINA

The Seaplane Base & Ma-rina, part of Wooton Park on

Lake Dora in Tavares, is an FAA certified public-use airport/base and 88-slip boat marina owned and run by the city.

Seaplane rides are available and give visitors the opportu-nity to see Lake County from a different perspective.

The Seaplane Base & Ma-rina is at 150 E. Ruby Street in Tavares. For information, call 352-742-6267.

LAKERIDGE WINERY & VINEYARDS

Lakeridge Winery & Vine-yards opened its doors in February 1989 in Clermont and sits on a 127-acre estate in the gently rolling countryside.

This area was once the cen-ter of the state’s grape industry, and after years of phenomenal growth, Lakeridge ranks as Florida’s largest premium win-ery and remains a pioneer in the development of table and sparkling wines from musca-dine and hybrid grapes.

More than 160,000 people visit the winery annually, enjoying its extensive tasting room, festivals and gift shop. Lakridge’s overall production of wine is over 100,000 cases, which is over 1 million bottles.

Complimentary winery tours and wine tasting are offered seven days a week.

Lakeridge Winery & Vine-yards is at 19239 north U.S. Highway 27 in Clermont. For information, call 352-394-8627 or 800-768-WINE.

SIX PLACES TO SEELake’s amazing landmarks, from a soaring tower to the Presidents Hall of Fame


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Staff Report

Feeling a little restless? Want to get out of town for the day? You’re in luck because Lake County is close to some of the best that Florida has to offer. Here’s a look.

DAYTONAYou don’t need to leave the

area to get in the water. Lake Harris, Lake Griffin, Lake Eustis, Lake Minneola and the hundreds of other lakes that dot the local landscape offer terrific swimming and boating.

But sometimes you just want to play in the surf and salt water. The Daytona area — including Ormond and New Smyrna — has some of the best beaches in the state. You can drive right onto the sand, rent a Jet Ski or boat or sample some of the eateries and entertainment along Daytona’s famous State Road A1A strip.

CEDAR KEYThis quaint fishing

village on Florida’s

west coast is located 3 miles out in the Gulf of Mexico. It’s a tiny place, occupying only 3 square miles and having fewer than 900 full-time residents. But Cedar Key is a must-see destination for anyone who enjoys seafood and rustic, turn-of-the-century ambiance.

The tiny town’s heart-stop-ping sunsets and laid-back feel have drawn some of the state’s

best artists and crafts-men, who draw inspi-

ration from the area’s nautical charm and

abundant wildlife.

GAINESVILLESixty miles north of Leesburg

is Gainesville. Home to the University of Florida, this small city has all the arts, culture and entertainment you would expect in a city that hosts the state’s flagship school.

ORLANDOFor pure family entertain-

ment, it’s pretty hard to beat Orlando. Pick a theme and there is a park for it: Movies? There’s Universal. Water? Sea World. Culture and food? How about Epcot?

And, of course, there’s the

granddaddy of all theme parks, Disney.

Just be sure to bring your wallet. Typical admission to a theme park is now about $100, and that doesn’t include food.

But that isn’t all Orlando has to offer. For nightlife, there’s Church Street Station in down-town Orlando. And if you’re a sports fan, you can take in an Orlando Magic basketball game. The area also has some great shopping, with several conven-tional malls and a number of outlet malls offering the world’s most popular brand names.

TAMPA/GULF COASTTampa is rich with culture

and arts. The area is dot-ted with museums, galleries and historic landmarks. For entertainment, there’s the incomparable Ybor City, which is infused with Cuban culture.

Perhaps Tampa’s signature offering is its many colorful festivals. There’s Carnival Fes-tival and Festa Italiana, Krewe of Sant’ Yago Knight Parade, the India Festival and of course Gasparilla, which draws tens of thousands of people for music, food and a parade. Think Mardi Gras in Tampa.

Just west of Tampa is Clear-water and to the South is Siesta Key, with some of the most pristine, white-sand beaches and crystal-clear water you’ll ever see.

WANT TO GET AWAY?Some of the best getaways in the world are a short drive away

HALIFAX MEDIA GROUP FILE PHOTO

Minnie and Mickey Mouse wave during a Christmas parade.



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A review of important stories that have affected Lake and Sumter counties. The list includes ViaPort Florida adding a new Fun Zone, Venetian Gardens receiving a makeover and Main Street in Leesburg getting a major overhaul.

NEWS YOU MISSED WHILE YOU WERE GONE

Main Street in Leesburg undergoes overhaul

ViaPort Florida to have improvements

Venetian Gardens gets a makeover


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News you missed while you were gone

Staff Report

ViaPort Florida has new ownership, a sharp new marquee, a bunch of cosmetic improvements and a number of new tenants. And now the Turkish company that pledged to breathe new life into the old, failing Lake Square Mall will take a giant step forward with its 30,000-square-foot Fun Zone.

The Fun Zone features 22 bowling lanes, a 5,000-square-foot arcade, two party rooms and a restaurant and bar in the former Target.

“There will be themed nights, such as karaoke, bike nights, burger nights, Texas Hold-em nights, custom car cruise-ins, trivia nights, live concerts with several bands,” said Jennifer Glidewell, general manager of ViaPort Florida. “We are definitely going to be the entertainment hub of

Lake County. There just isn’t anything to compare to what we are doing here.”

The Fun Zone’s restaurant and bar will be operated by Vincent Vittoria, who also owns Cousin Vinnie’s Chicken Wings in Leesburg and Get Wet Water Sports in Tavares.

Even as the Fun Zone grand opening draws near, Via Prop-erties of Istanbul is working on the next phase of the mall’s development — development of parcels fronting the mall, along U.S. Highway 441.

That phase will feature contemporary dining places, walkways and water features.

“We are working with several national tenants with regard to our outparcels, which are to begin early 2016,” Glidewell said. Once the deals are signed, the names of the businesses will be released. “AMC (the-aters) will begin a major renovation as well in 2016, so we are thrilled about that,” she added.

Meanwhile, several busi-nesses have relocated to the 560,000-square-foot mall after seeing an increase in foot traffic since Via Properties

purchased the mall in Septem-ber 2014.

“We think that the mall is going to continue to grow now with the new owners taking over,” said Don Folker, owner of Cupcake Time Café. The business moved to the mall three weeks ago from down-town Leesburg.

Divine Belgian Chocolates in Clermont relocated to a new unit next to Zales, and is ex-pected to open in a few weeks. It’s owned by Erwin De Winter and Jetty Heirman.

Cappadocia Arts, owned by Emrah Ozkan, will be a new home furnishings store show-casing carpets, furniture and lamps. The owner is relocat-ing from Istanbul to Via Port Florida.

“He is a friend of our CEO who has a beautiful store in a historical area of Istanbul, so he and his family are moving here to open the second store, and we are really excited about that,” Glidewell said. “They came over from Istanbul, Turkey, and took a look and they were excited enough to do

a lease.”She said Ozkan is con-

sidering opening more stores in the U.S.

The Leesburg prop-erty is the first U.S. mall for

the Turkish company, which recently purchased a mall in Rotterdam, New York, just outside of Albany.

ViaPort Florida in Leesburg to see Fun Zone, new stores and grand plans for 2016

VIA PROPERTIES / SUBMITTED

ABOVE, BELOW: Renderings show the proposed outparcels to be built at Via Port Florida in Leesburg.

SEEING IMPROVEMENT

Spuuzz have you heard the latest town gossip? I’m telling

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rant in downtown Clermont, FL waiting for you to discover.

It’s called Lilly’s on the Lake! It’s a newly opened secret

and they are so glad you’re here. Come be a part of the

newest, funnest, lakefront action in downtown Clermont! A

lakefront restaurant with air conditioning!!

Lilly’s on the Lake would like to extend a warm welcome to

all the snowbirds, hometown and future guests! We are lo-

cated in the historic downtown district of Clermont, Florida

between the public boat launch, fishing pier & public park.

Lilly’s on the Lake is the only lakefront restaurant that of-

fers indoor seating, a full liquor menu, and weekend music

to all our caring, happy, and grateful guests! Offering the

features you’re use to, now, right in your backyard.

You’ve earned it, finally a place to relax, a drink in your

hand and toes in the sand. The secret is out! I’m only telling

you, because I don’t want you to be the last to know.

Lilly’s on the Lake offers a private room for small gather-

ings & an indoor/outdoor bar with glass garage doors to

feel the breeze on your skin or view the majestic view from

the comfort of an air-conditioned facility! Pictures don’t

capture the beauty, you’ll have to see for yourself what ev-

eryone is talking about! Imagine the possibility of relaxing

with a drink & a casual meal while watching the moon rise,

view the red sky at night, connect with the natural beauty

of cypress trees or simply enjoy the lake front access! After

lunch or dinner take a walk in the park & feel the sand be-

neath your toes, realize life is good. Yes it’s possible! This is

what dreams are made of, and it’s right in your backyard!

Bingo the 1st Wednesday of each month, live weekend entertainment & much, much more!

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Opening Mondays in November



Staff Report

Leesburg’s Venetian Gardens, perhaps the most visually unique park in Lake County, is getting a makeover as city of-ficials try to draw more visitors to the lakefront vista.

Leesburg Director of Public Works D.C. Maudlin said reno-vations are going well under the work of contractor Mark Cook Builders.

“It significantly improves the appearance of the corridor and opens the view into Venetian Gardens from Dixie Avenue, showing off our beautiful park,” Maudlin said. “We have had many unsolicited positive comments from residents and business owners.”

The work up to this point has included the removal of the old concrete stairway between Dozier Circle and Venetian Park Drive, construction of nine support columns on the back side of the Florida Department of Transportation retaining wall, construction of 20 brick columns, the removal of the old chain-link fence and instal-lation of about 860 feet of new fence.

More first-phase plans are in the works, Maudlin said, including refurbishing the fountain on Martin Luther King Island and adding a new entry sign.

The master plan calls for a 3,300-square-foot splash pad, a new Kids Korner playground and a public restroom on Ski Beach.

Maudlin said the city hopes to award a design-build con-tract for the splash pad by the end of the year. Selection of the final design will take a couple of months and construction could start by the first quarter of 2016.

Now that Venetian Isles apartments have been torn down to help make way for renovation of the park, he said the city has raised the canopy under several of the large trees

and cleared away some of the underbrush to open the view from Dixie Avenue.

The renovation of Venetian Gardens is one of several focus areas of city leaders, who also want to improve County Road 470 property, the airport, the downtown area and Carver Heights.

“These areas connect our cultural past and our economic future. These areas are critical to building an economically vibrant community which of-fers Leesburg residents a great quality of life,” Maudlin said. “And Venetian Gardens is a centerpiece.”

Venetian Gardens in Leesburg received renovations with new fence, brick columns

LEFT: A decorative black fence and new brick columns have replaced the worn chain-link fencing at Venetian Gardens in Leesburg.

PHOTOS BY THERESA CAMPBELL / DAILY COMMERCIAL

PARK GETS A MAKEOVER



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Staff Report

A year in the making, Leesburg’s $3.8 million Main Street Streetscape project was unveiled in July. The project was conceived as a way to transform a tired, blighted sec-tion of the city into a vibrant, inviting gateway into down-town. The ambitious undertak-ing, which runs 2,800 feet from U.S. 27 to Ninth Street, features infrastructure upgrades, new decorative crosswalks, land-scaping and brick arches.

At its conception, the project wasn’t universally embraced by the people of Leesburg, who fretted about the multi-million dollar price tag and construction’s effect on small merchants along the street. But city leaders called it an invest-

ment in downtown, saying it was more than a cosmetic makeover. They hoped it would be a catalyst for better things in the business district

“The Main Street Streetscape project is seen as an invest-ment in our future,” said DC Maudlin, Leesburg director of Public Works. “We’re proud of our city, the opportunities found here, our hometown charm and inviting business climate. Nowhere is that more apparent than in our historic downtown.”

The city encountered a few setbacks and delays as crews moved utilities, including electricity, wastewater and stormwater lines and replaced sidewalks. DC Maudlin said the contract required Main Street to be open for two-way traffic and sidewalks to be installed prior to Bikefest. All of the remaining work was to be completed by the end of May

“Stagedoor II, the contractor, met all pre-Bikefest require-ments and would have been

done by May 30 but experi-enced delays beyond their control,” Maudlin said. “We overcame several challenges during the project. Conflicts between existing underground

utilities and new underground structures are always difficult to anticipate and avoid.”

He said Stagedoor II and Bellomo-Herbert, the designer, worked well together to mini-mize delays. But in the end, underground utility conflicts resulted in seven- to eight-day delays and the project required a right of way utilization permit from Florida Department of Transportation, which ac-counted for another 10-15 day delay.

Major gateway to downtown Leesburg gets massive facelift

LEFT: Brick arches were added over the sidewalks along Main Street in Leesburg. ABOVE: Joe Shipes, executive vice president of the Leesburg Partnership, speaks to the crowd at a grand-opening event for Main Street in Leesburg TOP: Leesburg Mayor Elise A. Dennison cuts a ribbon to formally christen Main Street.

DAILY COMMERCIAL FILE PHOTOS

MAIN STREET OVERHAUL



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Clermont’s newest - and best - diningexperience is The Fork. Open daily, thisupscale, cafe-style eatery offers all fresh foodsincluding: salads, panini’s, soups, fresh breads,gourmet grilled cheese sandwiches, egg bowlsand much more. Best of all, the operatingproceeds directly support local and globaloutreach through Real Life. This includes ourKids’ Pack and Food Pantry efforts, whichprovided over half a million meals to hungrychildren and families last year alone.

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Bart Mahan BC-HISMark Eller BC-HIS

CALL FOR PRICE QUOTESON ANY MAKE OR MODEL.10601 US Hwy 441, Unit E-1

Leesburg, FL 34788Publix Plaza next to Mall

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D019891

Laser Periodontal Therapy™Laser Periodontal Therapy™ is a laser-based approach to gum disease using anNd:YAG free running pulsed laser requiringspecific knowledge and skills drawnfrom the whole dentistry. To you the patients this means: less pain, lessbleeding, less swelling, less tissue removed, less down time, and less recoverytime which is decidedly less costly to you and your employer. The reasons we useLaser Periodontal Therapy™ are to: remove only the diseased tissue withoutremoving any of the healthy tissue, maintain the height of the tissue around teeth,minimize pain and discomfort to the patient, get a closure of the periodontalpocket wound and allow healing to take place. Controlling periodontal diseasemakes it possible to save and restore otherwise hopeless involved teeth.

For more information please visit: www.LANAP.comTreatment ProcedureA) Perio probe indicates excessive pocket depth.B) Laser light removes bacteria and diseased tissue.C) Ultrasonic scaler and special hand instruments and

are used to remove root tartar.D) Laser finishes cleaning and cleaning pocket which aids in

sealing the pocket closed so new germs cannot enter.E) Healing of gums to clean root surface occurs.F) Bite trauma is adjusted.G) Healing occurs.


Staff Report

The Clermont Performing Arts Center got a $200,000 makeover during the summer that city officials hope will draw some of the nation’s top acts to this south Lake County city.

The makeover to the lobby, dressing rooms and other areas of the center were completed in time for the inaugural show by Rock and Roll Hall of Famer Darlene Love.

Guests were treated to a lush spread catered by Tim Webber Events that featured multicul-tural food and drink stations, including the “CPAC-tini,” the center’s signature drink made

with champagne, pomegranate juice, seltzer and citrus vodka.

Love then took the stage to play a mix of new and classic songs that had audience mem-bers on their feet and singing along.

Love was joined on stage by eight musicians and three backup singers. “Welcome. I’m so excited to be here and in your wondrous new building. It is just gorgeous,” she said before starting off her 90-min-ute concert with songs from her recently released album, “Introducing Darlene Love,” produced by Steven Van Zandt, who plays guitar for Bruce Springsteen.

The 2015-16 season will feature 17 shows on the main stage and four in the black-box theater. Two festival shows will also be held on the ARC’s sur-rounding grounds.

Clermont Performing Arts Center fulfills promise with success

OPENING NIGHT TRIUMPH

LINDA CHARLTON / CORRESPONDENT

Darlene Love performed at the Clermont Performing Arts Center during the opening night gala.SEE CENTER, 27


D017612

E-Z NUTRITION 101

Lisa Johnson101 West Main St.

Tavares352-516-9855

[email protected]

Lets GetHealthy!

BEFORE AFTERLOST 107 LBS.

Select from over 50 Delicious flavorsTry a Nutritious Smoothie today

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BIG T'SCONSTRUCTIONAND HANDYMAN SERVICE

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BBB for 17 yrs. • Lic. & Ins.

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Florida for 30 Years

NO JOB TOOBIG OR SMALL!

D01

9012

www.falcongunsmithing.com

Gunsmithing& Fire ArmsAppraisal, LLC

1411 E. Main Streetat Sunnyside & MainLeesburg, FL 34748

352.406.3616We Buy, Sell & Trade

(Including Broken Weapons)

Florida Air & Heat Inc.Your Comfort Company

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since 1986State Licence #CAC1814030

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D019005

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D01

9051

www.GoGreenAirAndHeat.com

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A/C & Heat Specialists

Call Today! 352-821-2600(Toll Free) 1-866-317-2388

17940 SE 130th AveWeirsdale, Florida D0

19206

All Ab ut FeetAll Ab ut FeetA Unique Comfort Shoe Store

& Shoe and Leather Repair Shop…

352-748-7300 • 4071 CR106 (corner of 301 & 466) Oxford, FL 34484

We Carry We RepairAetrex, Naot,

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Spring Step,Pikolinos,Fitflop,Capezio

dance shoes,and many

other brands.

Shoe, Boots,Handbags,Chaps,Holsters,Sheaths,Leather

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excluded. One Couponper person visit.Exp 10/25/16.

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D01

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CALL 352-728-2158“More Than Just Seat Covers”

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352-360-0400352-360-0404 Fax

29320 U.S. Hwy. 27, Leesburg, FL

NOW ACCEPTING NEW PATIENTS

D021698


Staff Report

In recent years, Florida black bears have crossed paths with residents more and more, so much so that this year the Florida Division of Fish and Wildlife authorized a bear hunt for the first time in decades. The controversial hunt on Oct. 24 was designed to reduce the

bear population by 100 bears each in the Central region, which includes the St. Johns River watershed to the Ocala National Forest, and in the North region, which goes from Jacksonville west to Hamilton and Suwannee counties. The quota is 40 in an eastern Pan-handle region and 80 in South Florida.

Bear hunt authorized

Staff Report

After 24 years as pastor of the Catholic Community of St. Paul, Rev. John Giel has been reassigned to become pastor of Holy Family Catholic Church in Orlando. His new assignment becomes effective Oct. 12. Many of St. Paul’s 55 ministries were either started

or expanded under Giel’s lead-ership, including a food bank, Christmas Giving Tree, and ministries for the bereaved, sick and incarcerated. He also oversees Catholic Community Television Network, CCTN, which reaches a worldwide audience of over 1 million viewers and has received ac-colades from the Vatican.

Rev. John Giel reassigned


D019846

D019875

707 W. Montrose St.352-404-9431 • www.cheeserspalace.com

Tues.- Sat. 7:30am to 3pm • Sun. 7:30am to 2pm • Sat.& Sun. Breakfast Served All Day • Closed Mon.

D019820

D019876

650 8th Street • Historic Downtown Clermont, FL 34711

OPEN DAILYMon-Sat 12-9pmSun 11am-4pm352-243-4259

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D019877

D019844

D019878(352) 394-6111

www.hankselectricclermont.com

Central air & Heat • refrigerators • ranges • DisHwasHersMiCrowaves • wasHers • Dryers • & More!

757 W. Montrose St., Clermont, FL 34711repair serviCeinstallation

Diy parts Counter

2015 Downtown Clermont Calendar of EventsHarvest Festival - 10/31 12 noon to 9PM

Downtown Clermont Art Festival - 11/7 & 11/8Light Up Clermont - 12/4 & 12/5

Downtown Clermont Holiday Craft Show & Parade - 12/5Farmers Market - Every Sunday 9AM - 3PM

Food Truck Friday - First Fridays 5:30PM - 9PMCar Show - Second Saturday 3PM - 8PM

Historic Downtown Clermont



Staff Report

Lake County Supervisor of Elections Emogene Stegall, Florida’s longest-serving elections chief, announced in August that she will step down Jan. 2, 2017, when her current term ends. Stegall, 89, will be 90 when she retires. Stegall has been working in the elections office since May 1958 and ran for the top post in 1972. She is currently fulfilling her 11th four-year term.

Staff report

Longtime Lake-Sumter State College President Dr. Charles Mojock announced that he will retire at the end of this year, capping off a 13-year run at the helm of the college and 40 years overall in education. Under Mojock, LSSC enrollment grew rapidly. College officials say the student body rose from 1,825 in 2002 to a peak at 3,261 in 2012, an increase of about 79 percent.

Emogene Stegall to retire

LSSC president to retire


D019164

BethanyLutheran Church

Sunday Service 10:30amWednesday Bible Study 10:00am

Sunday Bible Study 9:15am

1334 Griffin Road, Leesburg352-787-7275

D019165

Unitarian UniversalistCongregation ofLake County

Eustis Woman's Club227 N. Center Street

Sunday Adult Discussion Group 9:45amCelebration 11:00am

www.lakecountyuu.netVisit us on FaceBook!

www.facebook.com/UUlakeco D019166

Congregation Sinai303A North US 27, Minneola, FL 34715

352.243.5353Reform/Conservative Congregation

Full High Holiday ServicesFriday Night Services at 7:30pmSat. 10am Services Followed by

Torah StudyBar and Bat Mitzvah Classes

Free Religious School Tuition for New & ExistingMembers for Ages 5-11 for the 2015-2016 School Year

D019163

St. PhilipLutheran Church

1050 Boyd Drive, Mt. Dora352-383-5402

Pastor Rev. Dr. Johan BerghSunday Service 9:30am

(Childcare Provided)

Fellowship 10:45amwww.stphiliplc.com

D01

9169

Union CongregationalChurch United Church of Christ

Rev. Dr. Robert Roberts, PastorTraditional Services 10:00am • Communion 1st Sunday, Monthly

Adult Sunday Bible Study 8:45amThrift Store: Thursday, Friday, & Saturday 9:00am - 1:00pm - 352-343-7557

Senior Meal Program Monday, Wednesdays 10:00am - 12:00 NoonWEB: unioncctavares.com

FB: Union Congregational Church Tavares, FLWe Welcome Everyone to Our Church,Never a Stranger, Always a Friend!

352-343-6183 - Deb West, AdministratorAt the corner of St. Clair Abrams Ave

and Old 441 (Alfred Street)D01

9167

St. James Episcopal ChurchRev. Thomas H. Trees, RectorSunday Holy Eucharist Services

8:00am & 10:00amThursday Holy Eucharist andHealing Service 10:00am

www.stjames-leesburg.org204 Lee Street, Leesburg352-787-1981

D019168

GODFAMILY

COMMUNITYWHATS MISSING IN LIFE, DO YOU FEEL A VOID?

DO YOU HAVE GIFTS AND TALENTSNEEDING DEVELOPED AND SHARED?

ARE YOU READY TO FIND A PLACE WHERETHERE IS ROOM FOR YOU?

WE'RE WAITING FOR YOU!SUNDAY 9:30 AM WORSHIP GATHERING/MESSAGEWEDNESDAY 7 PM ADULT STUDY/DISCUSSION.

YOUTH AND CHILDREN CLASSES IN BOTHPRAYER TIMES • MEN/WOMEN FELLOWSHIP • GROUP OUTINGS

15701 S.R. 50, #106, CLERMONT, FL 34711

352-242-1144WWW.CROSSROADSFAMILYFELLOWSHIP.ORG

[email protected]

Pastors Jim and Linda Watson D019582

OaklandPresbyterian Church

Sunday Services:8:45am Contemporary Worship

9:45am Sunday School11:00am Traditional WorshipNursery Provided for All Services

Dr. Robert P. Hines, Jr.407-656-4452 • 218 E. Oakland Ave.

(Hwy 50, East to left on Tubb St., right on Oakland Ave. Church on your right)www.oaklandpres.org • facebook.com/ocp125

D019175

FERNDALEFerndale Baptist Church

at CR 455 & CR 561A407-469-3888

Pastor: Gordon (Bird) Sanders

Sunday School: 9:15am SundayMorning Worship: 10:30amDiscipleship Study: 6:00pm

THE CHURCH THAT LOVE BUILDSD019179

First Church of Christ,Scientist, Leesburg13th & Line St., Leesburg

352-787-1921Sunday Service 10:30amSunday School 10:30am

Wednesday School 3:30pmD01

9183

From the west: we're about a mile off 466A, 2.5.miles past Colony Plaza.From the north: we're about a mile off 27/441, 1/4 mile south of Phillips Buick.

You're Invited toHoly Trinity Episcopal Church

Come experience the special warmth of our small, historic 1888 church.Worship with us and see for yourself the love and joy in Christ that are

the foundation of all that we do.We believe you'll discover you've come home.

Sunday Services:7:45am, 9:15am (w/music), 11:15am (w/choir)

Wednesday Service:11:30am, Bible Study 10:00am

2201 Spring Lake Road, Fruitland Park(352) 787-1500 • www.holytrinityfp.com

D019593

Corpus ChristiEpiscopal Church

Close to your community - Everyone is WelcomeMember of the Anglican Community

Sunday Eucharist 10:00amFellowship following Sunday Service

Sunday Evening Prayer with Eucharist 4pmMorning Prayer-Thursday 9:30am

CR 48 - 1 mile west of US 27Across from Okahumpka Post Office

3430 County Road 470, Okahumpka, FL 34762352-787-8430 • www.corpuschristiepiscopal.org

D019584


Staff Report

Two road projects, one on the east side of Lake County and the other on the south, could create an explosion of development in the coming years.

When the Wekiva Parkway connects to the Mount Dora area in 2019, that single stretch of asphalt could transform the east side of Lake County, area leaders and planners say.

“This is an enormous deal for Lake County,” said Robert Chandler IV, Lake County’s director of economic growth.

The parkway is designed to run from State Road 429 in Apopka north through Lake County, where it will veer east and connect with Interstate 4 in Sanford. At the point where the parkway veers east, an off-shoot will continue northwest, to the east side of Mount Dora.

The parkway will be trans-formational for the area east of U.S. Highway 441, including the eastern, rural side of Mount Dora and the communities of Sorrento and Mount Plymouth, according to Chandler. There will be significant benefits for Mount Dora and Eustis as well.

Chandler said when the Wekiva Parkway opens, access between the metropolitan Orlando area and eastern Lake County will improve signifi-cantly and the local economy should flourish.

“You’re going to see a lot more business and industry moving out here,” he said. “You’re going to see more of the higher household incomes moving this way because it’s a quicker commute.”

But local leaders are work-ing to ensure the quality of the growth.

“The good news is that we’re getting out ahead of this now so that you don’t just see scattered, piecemeal growth coming that’s not in a planned way,” Chandler said.

The second project is the construction of a Florida Turn-pike interchange in Minneola.

The city of Minneola last month gave the green light to a huge development — The Hills

of Minneola — that will bring in nearly 4,000 homes, loads of industrial, retail and office space and a new K-8 school.

But none of that would have occurred if not for a key deci-sion to build the interchange. The Turnpike Enterprise and the Florida Department of Transportation has set aside

How 2 projects could transform Lake County

LEFT: Workers with P&S Paving smooth out a section of the Wekiva Parkway east of Mount Plymouth. ABOVE: Workers with Leware Construction Company build a bridge that will connect the Wekiva Parkway with State Road 46 east of Mount Plymouth. TOP: Construction crews work on a road that will eventually connect with the new Florida Turnpike interchange in Minneola.


THE ROAD TO PROSPERITY


SEE ROADS, 36


D019888

Diamond CenterJewelers of Clermont

DIAMOND CENTERCustom Jewelry & Design

“Trade Your Diamond for Larger Diamond”JEWELERS ON PREMISES

Family Owned & Operated Since 1945“Your Jewelry Store In The Heart of Clermont!”

352-394-2612481 E. Hwy 50 • Suite 101

Clermont, FL 34711www.pittmanjewelers.com

D019824

Jewelry Appraisals (by appointment)

• Jewelry Repairs (On Site)• Watch Repair

• Pearl Restringing• Free Ring Cleaning

• We Buy Gold, Silver & Coins (Cash)

To house the indoor shows, the city had to meet standard ac-commodations expected by most performers and theater-goers.

“The renovations at the performing arts center have posi-tioned Clermont to be one of the top venues not only in Central Florida but the state,” said City Manager Darren Gray. “This will allow us to attract the best in entertainment as well as provide a place where acts can come to rehearse or re-tool their shows.”

Originally, the building was intended to accommodate a growing Clermont church, but the church lost the building, and the city was able to purchase it from the bank for about $6 mil-lion in 2013.

It fit the needs of the city and residents perfectly because it provided space for community activities, a public gymnasium and pool, a permanent Boys and Girls Club, a senior center, city offices, and, of course, a venue for entertainment.

The city hired Jeanie Linders, an entertainment specialist and playwright, to solicit entertain-

ers and manage the Arts and Recreation Center.

Linders realized the ARC’s potential for big name, touring shows, but certain things were missing, like a box office, proper lighting, dressing rooms and storage and rehearsal space.

Officials said the aesthetics of the building are also being improved to provide a more theater-like feel, starting with a paint job in the lobby and in the main performance hall. A concession stand will also be added.

For information, go to www.clermontperformingarts.com.

CENTERFROM PAGE 20 “

The renovations at the performing arts center

have positioned Clermont to be one of the top venues not only

in Central Florida but the state. This will allow us to attract the best in entertainment as

well as provide a place where acts can come to rehearse

or re-tool their shows.”City Manager Darren Gray


Staff Report

A Leesburg woman, MaryKatherine Fechtel, had quite a year, capturing the Miss Leesburg and Miss University of Florida titles, then winning the Miss Florida crown to cata-pult her into the Miss America pageant in Atlantic City in September.

Fechtel, a 20-year-old Lees-burg native, finished in the Top 10 in the nationally televised pageant.

Fechtel took the stage in a white swimsuit, then in a white evening gown and later displayed her dancing talent to “Bridge Over Troubled Waters.”

“She gave her all. So proud of her, she made Florida proud,” said Linda Watts, the head of the Miss Leesburg Scholarship Program that helped launch Fechtel on her

journey to Miss America.Fechtel was among 52 con-

testants — from all 50 states, Puerto Rico and the District of Columbia — in the 95th annual competition.

“Foremost, I enjoyed experiencing immense support from Floridians,” she said after the pageant. “I would return to my room at night to stacks of letters, packages and words of encouragement. The sheer number of people who came to Atlantic City to support me was breathtaking. Each time I looked into the audience I would see a plethora of Florida flags and signs saying ‘FL’ or ‘Go MK.’ It was surreal to be the object of so much love. I’ll never forget the feeling.”

She also cherished bonding with other state titleholders.

“Each young woman has a different talent, interest, plat-form and story,” Fechtel said. “I was inspired by the conversa-tions I had and can confidently say I have made a number of lifelong friends.”

One of the biggest surprises for Miss Florida competing in

Miss America was realizing the experience was much bigger than the pageant.

“We spent weeks engaging in appearances, workshops and leadership training,” she said. “By the time competition had begun, I felt completely

at peace and fulfilled with my Miss America experience. The competition had become secondary.”

Being in Miss America also gave her some insight about life.

“One of the lessons I learned is when you go for something, you must go wholeheartedly, but if it doesn’t work out there is another plan,” Fechtel said. “I believe God’s plans for every Miss America contestant are mighty and individualized, al-though only one woman won a new crown. This applies to job interviews, lost opportunities and every time a door is closed. There’s always a plan.”

Leesburg woman finishes in Top 10 at Miss America

LEFT, ABOVE, TOP: Miss Florida MaryKatherine Fechtel, of Leesburg, competes for Miss America in Atlantic City, New Jersey.


ONCE IN A LIFETIME



D019889


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• Data Transfer Available• Residential and Business Service• Walk In and In Home Services• Laptop and Desktop Repair• iPhone and iPad Repairs• Networking Equipment• Wireless Equipment

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Serving Lake County Since 1997Stop Worrying and Call Us Today!We Repair All Makes and Models of PC’s

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D019886

Nearly invisible Hearing Aids withBluetooth or iPhone connections

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D019526

D020422

When you’re ready to shift fromfeeling old to feeling like your oldself again, call the caring staff ofprofessionals at FMI.

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THE VILLAGES • 352-753-4366LEESBURG • 352-728-3000


Staff Report

The owner of the Citrus Tower, a soaring observation platform in Clermont, is developing plans to create a zip line from the top of the tower to a landing station about 1/2 mile away. The idea was inspired by the Vigilante Extreme ZipRider in Branson, Missouri — a 50-mph, 1 1/2-mile zip line ride from a platform on Inspiration Tower.

Staff Report

A gaping sinkhole opened along a residential street in Grove-land in late August, growing from an estimated 45 feet wide to 75 or 80 feet. The hole forced some area residents to evacuate briefly, but work crews plugged the chasm with thousands of pounds of fill dirt and grout before any homes were damaged.

Tower may get zip line

Sinkhole opens in Groveland


LASERFOR TOE NAILFUNGUS

D021697

352-357-99644200 S. Hwy. 19-A, Mount Dorawww.yardstopgardencenter.com

We have competitive pricing and provide quality customer service.

Comparable to box store prices, andwe standbehind everythingwe sell!Several varieties of sod, by the piece or pallet.

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Ask us about ourBUY1GET1HALFOFFpottery selection!

WE INSTALLWHATWE SELL!

Plan AMemorable Day Trip to Quaint Mount DoraAND VISIT

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STEVE FUSSELLCorrespondent

When they announced The Villages of Fruitland Park almost two years ago, the developer predicted it would build and sell all 2,074 homes within 12 to 18 months of a spring start.

And they’re off and running.Construction in the Villages

of Fruitland Park has been brisk, which is not surprising for The Villages, which annu-ally is ranked at the top or near the top of the best planned and fastest growing retirement communities in the nation

Almost immediately after the project broke ground in the

spring, work crews were finish-ing almost 15 homes per week.

Fruitland Park Community Development Director Charlie Rector said he expects to issue as many as 15 building permits per day when housing con-struction reaches its peak later this year.

The first phase of homes, located near the western entrance to the Villages of Fruitland Park at County Road 466A and Timbertop Lane, includes smaller, close-in villa-style units that employ mass-production technology developed by a French com-pany more than 30 years ago.

After concrete slabs are poured around utilities connections, workers install skeleton-like reinforcing rods and then anchor reusable steel forms in place to pour the walls of concrete. When the

The Villages of Fruitland Park steaming ahead

OFF AND RUNNING

STEVE FUSSELL / CORRESPONDENT

Workers install wood sheeting over trusses to secure the roof in The Villages of Fruitland Park.SEE CONSTRUCTION, 39


WILDWOOD(20,000 sq ft)

364 Shopping Center Dr.34785 Hwy 301,next to Sav A Lot

(1 mile from VillagesBrownwood)Next to Sav-A-Lot

352-330-2800

OCALA(30,000 sq ft)

2405 SW 27th Ave.,34474

1 block E. of Paddock Mall(off 200)

Between Burlington &Jo-Ann Fabric

352-671-7979TITUSVILLE

(18,000 sq ft)3550 S. Washington Ave. #1,

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Mon. - Sat: 10am-5:30pm • Sun: 12-5pmWildwoodAntiqueMalls.com

OVER 100,000 SQ FT OF ANTIQUES! D021714

Come see ourfine selection ofengagement rings& wedding sets,

diamond & preciousstone jewelry, goldchains & bracelets,pearls, charms,earrings, estatejewelry, and more.

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See Our Beautiful Opal SelectionBead Stringing | Estate Jewelry | Watch/Jewelry Repair

Buy Gold, Diamonds & Silver | Battery Replacement

Staff Report

The city is looking for some-one to develop Tavares Square, a multimillion-dollar project that will significantly transform its downtown entertainment district.

In concert with the City’s Downtown Redevelopment Master Plan, the city wants to create a mixed-use, urban pedestrian-oriented plaza, uti-lizing a combination of retail, residential, office, cultural, recreation and entertainment space, which would also include public amenities.

“The Tavares City Council is soliciting proposals from all over the world and the bid

documents urge potential developers to embrace creativ-ity, the use of imagination, inventiveness, innovation, artistic expression and entre-preneurship,” city officials said in a press release.

The city is seeking a devel-oper who can bring to life a new and innovative vision.

“The city embraces ‘niche and wow’ projects like our Seaplane Base, Tavares Pavilion on the Lake, Osprey Lodge, Big House and the award-winning Florida Hospital Waterman, and it is within this realm that we look forward to receiving the most creative proposals Central Florida has ever seen,” City Administrator John Drury said in the release.

The major factor driving this project is the community’s desire to create a central place in downtown Tavares that provides a new pedestrian plaza defined by mixed-use

buildings to visually and physi-cally connect Main Street to the waterfront, city documents show. The proposed plaza will reinforce the significance of the Waterfront Entertainment District as the downtown’s major attraction and entertain-ment core.

The creative proposal calls for both the purchase and development of the property with a submission deadline of Oct. 30.

The Tavares Square project is bounded by Main Street, Rock-

ingham Avenue, Ruby Street and New Hampshire Avenue within view of the waterfront. It is located diagonally from City Hall.

The city-owned property was formerly home to the Lake County Clerk’s Records Office, which has since relocated to the County’s Administrative Complex. The city bought three-fourths of this city block from the county for $1,085,000.

The complete proposal pack-age for Tavares Square can be viewed at www.Tavares.org.

Tavares project would expand entertainment district


DOWNTOWN REDEVELOPMENT

“The city embraces ‘niche and wow’ projects

like our Seaplane Base, Tavares Pavilion on the Lake, Osprey Lodge, Big House and the award-

winning Florida Hospital Waterman, and it is within this realm that we look forward to receiving the most

creative proposals Central Florida has ever seen.” City Administrator John Drury


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Staff Report

Just as you were rolling back into town, area governments were finalizing their budgets for the new fiscal year, which started in the beginning of October. It was a mixed bag for taxpayers: there were a few tax decreases. But, mostly, local governments inched your tax bills up for 2015-16 as they continue struggling to recover from the Great Recession, which sent property values plummeting and, with them, tax revenues needed to support government functions.

Here’s a quick look at the budgets of area cities, the school district and the county.

LEESBURGLeesburg’s total annual bud-

get is $152 million is supported by a 4.2678 millage rate , which is actually slightly less than last year’s. It is also the third lowest in the county behind Lady Lake and Montverde. The city also will be generating revenue from a new residential fire as-sessment fee of $58 per home. At the same time, the city boasts a substantial cut in its electric rates, which had been among the highest in the state.

City Manager Al Minner said Leesburg’s budget allows for sev-eral capital improvement: Road resurfacing, a new restroom on Ski Beach, landscaping por-tions of U.S. Highways 441 and 27, new storage and restroom facilities at Susan Street Park, a new splash pad at Kids Corner at Venetian Gardens and entry-way improvements at the U.S.

Local cities share budgets, goals for new fiscal year

LOOKING AHEAD

THERESA CAMPBELL / DAILY COMMERCIAL

A swimmer enjoys the city pool in Ferran Park in Eustis. The area behind the pool is where the city of Eustis plans to install a splash pad as part of its capital improvements for 2016. SEE BUDGET, 35


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Highway 441/27 intersection.

TAVARESTavares City Administra-

tor John Drury said Tavares’ proposed budget is $37 million and the millage rate is 6.61 mills, which is slightly less than the previous year’s tax rate. It is still technically considered a tax increase because it is higher than the rollback rate, which is the rate that it would take to generate the same amount of money as last year.

Drury said some of Tavares’ goals for the new fiscal year are a new fire truck, street repaving, new City Hall air conditioning, Caroline Street streetscape, sidewalk replace-ments, and hiring a new police officer at mid-year.

Drury added that he’s also looking forward to Lake paving Old Highway 441 into Mount Dora. “I believe this will begin an upgrade program to the entire corridor,” he said.

LADY LAKEA budget of $14.4 million is

planned in Lady Lake, ac-cording to Town Manager Kris Kollgaard, and the millage rate for property owners is 3.55, down from 3.75 mills last year.

MOUNT DORAMount Dora City Manager

Vincent Pastue said the total budget is $45.5 million, and the millage rate is 5.99 for prop-erty owners, the same rate as 2014-15.

Pastue said the budget ad-dresses deficiencies of existing facilities and infrastructure, and allows Mount Dora to be-gin preparing the community for future economic develop-ment and growth.

Pastue said the city’s major capital projects and purchases include the completion of Palm Island Boardwalk, utility line relocations due to state highway projects, Thrill Hill water reclamation project and funding for economic develop-ment and right-of-way trees.

Pastue noted he is studying

water and wastewater rates, and looking into a reduction in electric utility rates and sanita-tion rates, while he doesn’t expect a change in storm water utility rates.

EUSTISEustis City Manager Ronald

Neibert said the city’s total budget is $38.1 million, with a millage rate of 7.58, the same as last year.

Eustis has several projects planned for the new fiscal year, including the addition of a splash pad and continued beautification in Ferran Park, street improvements, including improvements to Kurt Street, streetlights, improvements to the eastern wastewater plant, and Lakeview Avenue water, sewer and storm water replacement.

FRUITLAND PARKFruitland Park’s budget is

set at $10.1 million with a 4.73 millage rate, the same as it has been for the last two years, ac-cording to Fruitland Park City

Manager Gary La Venia.“The city hopes to start

construction on a new library in the upcoming year,” he said. “In addition, plans are underway to make substantial improvement to the waste water infrastructure.”

Fruitland Park Treasurer Jean-nine Michaud said the library will cost $1 million and will be funded with a Lake County grant. Also, two sewer lines will be installed for $2.9 million, one along County Road 466A to support commercial growth and the other to Lady Lake.

CLERMONTThe Clermont City Council

raised the city’s property tax rate more than 18 percent to help cover a $1.2 million deficit in the 2016 budget.

The millage rate will go from its current 3.729 to 4.2061 and will generate an additional $958,415 to pay for the operat-ing costs of the Arts and Recre-ation Center, which, according to officials, is the main cause of the deficit.

BUDGET FROM PAGE 34


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$41 million for the project.“After so many years of plan-

ning, FDOT/Turnpike is looking forward to finally adding this regionally important inter-change as another trip option for motorists in this rapidly growing area,” said Christa Dea-son, spokeswoman for Florida’s Turnpike Enterprise.

Minneola City Manager Mark Johnson said the Hills of Minneola project is expected to have a $1 billion impact to Lake County and provide more than 700 permanent jobs.

City Planner Aaron Mercer said the Turnpike is the founda-tion for not only that develop-ment but many others that had been approved in the 2005-2007 years. Many of those laid dormant when the economy screeched to a halt.

Mercer said the interchange will likely revive those projects, meaning about 10,000 new homes along with commercial and industrial development. He said neighboring cities and projects, including Trilogy and the future Villa City, will benefit

from it, as well, because it will give residents access to the Turnpike and to Orlando much quicker and easier than ever before.

“All those are ramping up. The catalyst of the Turnpike is reviving all of it,” Mercer said. “The Turnpike will be bringing in a lot of positive things for a lot of people. The impact is not going to be just for Minneola but for everyone in south Lake County. We’re all going to benefit from this.”

The project is expected to be completed within 24 months.

Deason said the project should reduce traffic on sec-tions of SR 50 and US 27 and will make the commute to Orlando much shorter for many people.

Minneola Mayor Pat Kelley said he also expects the Turn-pike to enhance Minneola’s economic competitiveness and leverage private investment.

ROADS FROM PAGE 26

Deason said the project should reduce traffic on sections of SR

50 and US 27 and will make the commute to Orlando much

shorter for many people.


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SOUTH LAKE HOSPITAL › 1900 Don Wickham Drive in

Clermont, 352-394-4071Situated on a sprawling 180-

acre campus that serves as more than a medical center, South Lake Hospital is a health, wellness and education facility that focuses on fitness and prevention as much as on medical care. The hospital itself has 122 beds and more than 1,000 employees who offer a variety of medical services, including diag-nostic imaging, orthopedics and cardiac catheterization.

The Centre for Women’s Health offers complete care for women from maternity to maturity. South Lake Hospital is also home to the LiveWell Fitness Center and the National Training Center, which provides total body fitness, ad-vanced rehabilitative services and athletic training.

FLORIDA HOSPITAL WATERMAN

› 1000 Waterman Way in Tavares, 352-253-3333

Founded in 1938 by Frank Waterman, president of the Water-man Fountain Pen Company, the hospital opened in the Fountain

Inn in downtown Eustis. From an 18-bed county hospital, it has grown into a 269-bed acute care facility owned by Adventist Health System, the largest Protestant not-for-profit health care provider in the United States. The hospital bills itself as offering “the ad-vanced technologies and medical expertise of a big-city hospital in a friendly, compassionate small-town atmosphere.”

LEESBURG REGIONAL MEDICAL CENTER

› 600 E. Dixie Ave. in Leesburg, 352-323-5762

Leesburg Regional Medical Cen-ter is a 322-bed acute-care hospital specializing in cardiovascular and orthopedic care, but also offers services in neurosurgery, obstetrics, cancer care, pediatrics and more.

LRMC has received The Joint Commission’s Gold Seal of Approval for health care qual-ity and safety in hospitals and is recognized by the Commission as a Primary Stroke Center. In 2013, Healthgrades named LRMC a 5-Star Recipient for Overall Ortho-pedic Services and ranked it among the Top 10 Percent in the Nation for Spine Surgery.


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WELCOME BACK STAFFSteve Skaggs..........................................................................................PublisherMary Manning-Jacobs .....................................................Advertising DirectorTom McNiff ................................................................................................... EditorWhitney Willard .......................................... Copy Desk Chief, layout, designTheresa Campbell ........................................................................... Staff WriterRoxanne Brown ................................................................................ Staff WriterLivi Stanford ...................................................................................... Staff WriterMillard Ives ......................................................................................... Staff WriterScott Callahan .................................................................................. Staff Writer

Welcome Back

A snowbird’s guide to Lake and Sumter counties


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forms are removed, rod trusses are added and the walls can be finished off.

The Villages began pioneer-ing steel-form construction about 10 years ago. The result is exterior walls that are nearly soundproof, extremely durable and cost-effective.

Elsewhere on the 950-acre development site, workers have completed most of the 26 miles of city streets, along with utilities and drainage systems. Heavy equipment operators are grading and conditioning the soil in preparation for foundation slabs.

Rector said The Villages can easily achieve its two-year timeline for buildout because demand for new homes in the Villages shows no signs of slacking.

Meanwhile The Villages in April withdrew its plan to build nearly 800 homes here after city commissioners declined to waive their development standards and make other

concessions requested by the developer.

On April 13, commissioners held a public workshop with Villages Development Direc-tor Gary Moyer and General Counsel Steve Roy. The two men wanted to gauge commission support for the project.

They said The Villages wants to build 785 homes on about 300 acres at the corner of County Road 466A and Powell Road in Wildwood. The retirement com-munity wants the city to rezone the tract, waive its own Land Development Regulations and lower its impact fees.

Moyer agreed to offer the city a list of incentives in return: water impact fees totaling $1.5 million, $750,000 in wastewater impacts, $200,000 in parks and recreation fees, about $650,000 in annual property tax revenues and another $545,000 a year from water and sewer bills to customers.

The Villages withdrew its plan after Wildwood officials expressed concerns about losing the community’s identity.

CONSTRUCTION FROM PAGE 32

STEVE FUSSELL/CORRESPONDENT

After shingles are installed, workers can complete the interior and dress the exterior walls with stucco or siding.

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