The event will take place from 4 pm to 6 pm at the Puryear Building, located at 243 S. Lake Ave. in Groveland.

The Meet the Candidates event will give residents an opportunity to hear directly from those seeking elected office, learn more about their backgrounds and priorities, and listen as they respond to questions about the issues affecting their communities.

Following the candidate discussion, attendees are invited to stay for an auction benefiting a local history preservation effort. Community members who wish to support the effort may donate an item or service for the auction or make a direct contribution online at GrovelandHistory.org.

Organizers encourage residents to mark their calendars, invite their neighbors and take part in this opportunity to learn more about the candidates and support the preservation of local history.

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Located at 400 E. State Road 50 in Clermont, the newly expanded location offers a warm and welcoming environment dedicated to helping clients look and feel their very best. Community members, Chamber representatives, friends, and supporters gathered to celebrate this exciting milestone and officially welcome the award-winning team to their new home.

Beauty Bar & Medspa and BioWell Lounge provide industry-leading wellness and aesthetic treatments in a professional medical spa setting, serving men, women, and teens. Their experienced team of licensed medical professionals is committed to delivering safe, personalized care using advanced technologies and treatments designed to rejuvenate, restore, and enhance natural beauty.

Among their popular services are Morpheus8 Face and Morpheus8 Body treatments, innovative procedures that combine microneedling and radiofrequency technology to tighten, contour, and revitalize the skin. Clients can also enjoy a variety of aesthetic, skincare, wellness, and beauty services tailored to their individual goals.

The South Lake Chamber of Commerce officiated the ribbon-cutting ceremony, celebrating not only a new location but also the continued growth of a business dedicated to helping members of the South Lake community feel confident and empowered.

Congratulations to the entire Beauty Bar & Medspa and BioWell Lounge team on this exciting new chapter! We look forward to seeing your continued success and the positive impact you will make throughout South Lake County.

For more information or to schedule an appointment, call 321-300-6433.

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Project Scholars is inviting South Lake County high school seniors to apply for its annual scholarships beginning October 1, 2026. The application deadline is January 15, 2027, and recipients will be announced during Pig on the Pond, April 2–4, 2027, at Clermont’s Waterfront Park.

The dates mark a new timeline for the scholarship program. By opening applications in the fall, Project Scholars hopes to give students more time to learn about the opportunity, prepare their materials and submit an application before the January deadline.

Project Scholars awards four students a $10,000 scholarship each, distributed over four years. For recipients, that support can help ease the cost of pursuing a college education. For the South Lake community, it is a chance to invest in students who have grown up here and are preparing for what comes next.

“Behind every scholarship is a student with goals, potential and a community cheering them on,” said Paul Rountree, president of Project Scholars. “We’re excited to open applications this fall and to celebrate our next group of recipients together at Pig on the Pond.”

The festival plays a central role in Project Scholars’ mission. Each spring, Pig on the Pond brings families, businesses and community partners together at Waterfront Park to support scholarships for local students. Announcing the recipients during the April 2027 event will give the community an opportunity to meet and celebrate the young people their support helps lift up.

Scholarship timeline

• October 1, 2026: Applications open
• January 15, 2027: Applications close
• April 2–4, 2027: Scholarship recipients announced at Pig on the Pond

Project Scholars encourages guidance counselors, educators, families and community members to share the opportunity with South Lake County seniors. Application information will be available through Project Scholars’ official channels when the application opens October 1.

About Project Scholars

Project Scholars is a South Lake community scholarship program that raises funds through its annual Pig on the Pond event. Scholarships of $10,000 over four years are awarded to deserving local seniors who demonstrate financial need, academic excellence, leadership, and community service. Additional scholarships are made possible through community sponsorships and memorial funds. For more information, visit pigonthepond.org or contact Amanda Nethero at 407-433-6048 or info@pigonthepond.org.

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Community leaders, local business representatives and VyStar team members gathered for the ribbon-cutting ceremony to welcome the financial institution to the growing Clermont community.

The location represents VyStar’s second branch in Lake County, reinforcing the organization’s commitment to serving members throughout Central Florida with expanded access to financial services and personalized banking solutions.

The Clermont branch offers a full range of financial products and services, including the credit union’s popular VyStar+ Checking account, designed to provide members with added value and everyday savings.

For more information about VyStar Credit Union’s Clermont branch, call (352) 708-7240.

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The event brought together community leaders, residents, business owners, firefighters, and law enforcement officers, to recognize the men and women who answer the call when South Lake residents need help most.

Sponsored by Computer Business Consultants and co-sponsored by the Frankie Valente Scholarship Fund, the annual breakfast celebrated the dedication, courage, and commitment demonstrated daily by first responders throughout the region.

The morning began with an invocation by Pastor Dawn Carter, chaplain for the Clermont Police Department. Members of the East Ridge High School Rhythm of the Knights performed the National Anthem, during the Presentation of the Colors setting a patriotic and respectful tone for the event.

South Lake Chamber 2026 Board Chair Donna Kirtland welcomed attendees and thanked the first responders in attendance for their service to the community. She then introduced Clinton Pownall, president and CEO of Computer Business Consultants, who served as master of ceremonies for the awards presentation.

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One of the highlights of the morning was the recognition of outstanding public safety professionals from agencies across South Lake County. Honorees included:

• Jason Ness, recognized by the Clermont Fire Department.
• David Mencaralli, recognized by the Clermont Police Department.
• Chris Linzey, recognized by the Groveland Fire Department.
• Alex Eckmann, recognized by the Minneola Fire Department.
• Kendra Knebusch and EMT Carolina Sermini, recognized by the Lake County Office of Fire Rescue.
• Christine Boodhoo, Groveland Police Department Officer of the Year.
• Acting Sgt. Kejuan Monroe, recognized by the Howey-in-the-Hills Police Department.
• Melissa Florence, recognized by the Mascotte Police Department.

In addition to the individual awards, members of participating departments received commemorative challenge coins as a symbol of appreciation for their service and commitment to the communities they protect. Departments represented included the Minneola, Groveland and Clermont fire departments; Lake County Office of Fire Rescue; the Groveland, Howey-in-the-Hills, Mascotte and Clermont police departments; and the Lake County Sheriff’s Office.

Pownall also shared information about Computer Business Consultants and its commitment to helping businesses succeed through managed IT services, cybersecurity protection, cloud solutions, backup and recovery systems, and technology project support.

The event also highlighted the work of the Frankie Valente Scholarship Fund. Representing the organization, Tony Valente shared the story behind the scholarship, established in memory of his son, Frankie Valente, a first responder who died while serving his community. The scholarship fund assists future EMS and EMT professionals by helping cover tuition costs, textbooks, and essential training supplies. Through those efforts, the organization continues its mission of supporting the next generation of emergency responders.

As the breakfast concluded, the message was clear: while first responders often work behind the scenes and in difficult circumstances, their service does not go unnoticed. The annual appreciation breakfast serves as a reminder that South Lake’s firefighters, deputies, police officers, EMTs, and paramedics are valued not only for what they do, but for the commitment they make every day to keep their neighbors safe.

For one morning, the community paused to say two simple words that carried great meaning: THANK YOU.

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The Venue has quickly become Clermont’s newest and most premier event space. The Venue is proud to announce the tremendous success of its first-ever Wedding, Sweet 16 & Quinceañera Expo. This Venue Wedding Expo offered inspiration, expert advice, exclusive promotions, and the chance to meet face-to-face with trusted local special event professionals.

This event brought together an incredible collection of talented local vendors and small businesses who truly brought their very best to the event. From custom-cut and sewn suits and professional photography to artists, creators, event specialists and even commemorative bracelet-making experiences, guests were introduced to a wonderfully diverse mix of products, services and creative ideas for making their celebrations truly memorable.

The Venue Manager Debbie Stewart noted, “We were thrilled to welcome so many attendees through our doors throughout the evening. The response was overwhelmingly positive, with guests commenting not only on the variety of vendors represented, but also on the exceptional level of professionalism, creativity and quality they experienced.” She continued, “One of our goals in creating this Expo was to give outstanding local small businesses an opportunity to showcase the services they offer, while providing families with a place to discover talented professionals who can help bring their weddings, Sweet 16 celebrations and quinceañeras to life. Our diverse vendors absolutely delivered. Their energy, enthusiasm and talent made the evening something very special.”

The Venue owner Uday Kadam shared, “We really appreciate every vendor who participated and every guest who came through our doors to learn more about The Venue as well I wish to thank everyone involved for making our inaugural Expo such an incredible success.This first Expo was only the beginning. We are already looking forward to welcoming the community back next September for The Venue Expo 2027.

Besides free admission to this event, many brochures and introductory gifts, Charlomae Worthington was the big Expo Raffle Winner. She won a valuable $500 door prize gift useable at The Venue for any rental fees including weddings, rehearsal dinners, bridal showers, sweet 16 parties, quinceañeras or any event she wants to host.

Attendees were able to discover everything they need to create the event they’ve always imagined. The Expo exhibitors shared many diverse services including wedding inspirations, professional photography, videography, floral designs, wedding décor, entertainment, DJs, wedding officiants, flower wall rentals, cakes & desserts, custom wedding art, exclusive expo specials, wedding travel & honeymoons as well as giveaways and door prizes.

Located in Clermont, The Venue has become one of Central Florida’s premier event destinations, offering elegant and versatile indoor and outdoor event spaces. The Venue will host weddings, receptions, corporate events, celebrations, showers, fundraisers, galas, and private events throughout the year.

Visit their website at: thevenueclermont.com. Email: inquire@thevenueclermont.com to book a personal tour to see The Venue main hall, outdoor areas, catering zones, and to review all of the behind-the-scenes necessities. Follow The Venue on Facebook at:https://www.facebook.com/thevenueclermontfl. The Venue is located at 2400 South Highway 27 in Clermont, FL 34711 in Building 1-101 Unit A.

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The South Lake Chamber of Commerce joined community members, business leaders, and staff in officiating a ribbon-cutting ceremony, officially welcoming Central Florida Eye Specialists to the South Lake business community.

Guests gathered to tour the new facility, meet the team, and commemorate the occasion.   

The new Clermont location reflects Central Florida Eye Specialists’ ongoing dedication to delivering quality eye care and enhancing access to specialized vision services for patients in South Lake County and beyond.

The South Lake Chamber of Commerce congratulated Central Florida Eye Specialists on its new location and welcomed the practice as a valued member of the local business community.

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