Community Organizations

Old School Bell Has New Home At Clermont Historic Village

by Donna DiGennaro, Clermont Historic Village Did you know that in 1916-1917 Clermont built a large, two-story, brick schoolhouse complete with 500 lb. bell? Well,...

Beta Theta Members Visit Orlando Cat Café To Support Feline Friends

Community Organizations

Members of Beta Theta recently made a heartwarming visit to the Orlando Cat Café in Clermont, bringing with them a donation and plenty of...

News from The City of Clermont Fire Department

Community Organizations

The City of Clermont Fire Department is proud to congratulate Luke Brear, Ryan Vollmer, and Jon Fagan on their recent promotions to the rank...

Community Spotlight Shines On Lieutenant Kelly Stone Of The Lake County Sheriff’s Office

Community Organizations

Photos and Article by Chuck Seaver, South Lake Tablet We, at the South Lake Tablet, have found that our community is the home of people...

Orlando Museum of Art Announces 2025 Summer Art Camp: A Creative Adventure For Young Artists

Community Organizations

The Orlando Museum of Art (OMA) is excited to announce the return of its 2025 Summer Art Camp, offering young artists an unforgettable opportunity...

Building Blocks Celebrates New Patio and Life-Changing Programs in Groveland

Community Organizations

A spirit of celebration and community filled the air as the South Lake Chamber of Commerce hosted a ribbon cutting for Building Blocks, located...

Clermont Battalion U.S. Naval Sea Cadets Attend Clermont City Council Meeting

Community Organizations

Clermont Battalion U.S. Naval Sea Cadets On Tuesday, April 9, the Clermont Battalion colorguard presented colors at the Clermont City Council meeting and provided an...

Caribbean Association of Lake County Awards 2025 Scholarship Recipients!

Community Organizations

Article and Photos submitted by Larry Oskin, The Caribbean American Association of Lake County successfully hosted their annual scholarship awards presentation to honor top achieving...

Central Florida Dreamplex to Launch Mobile Outreach Program Bringing Adaptive Services to People with Disabilities in South Lake County

Community Organizations

The Central Florida Pediatric Therapy Foundation’s Dreamplex program will expand mobile outreach for people with disabilities after receiving a $50,000 grant from the Live...

The Neighborhood Center of South Lake Celebrate Its Heroes

Community Organizations

The Neighborhood Center of South Lake celebrated their most cherished individuals - their dedicated volunteers. Green Valley Country Club provided the backdrop for the...

Minneola Charter JROTC Students Visit Clermont Historic Village WWII Museum

Community Organizations

Students from Mr. Alejandro Porcuna’s JROTC class at Minneola Charter School recently took a meaningful step back in time with a visit to the...

Jeff Foley Named Lake County Communications Director

Community Organizations

The Lake County Board of County Commissioners has named Jeff Foley as its new Communications Director, effective Monday, May 4. Foley, who was hired as...

Ann Dupee’s Legacy Lives On At Cooper Memorial Library

Community Organizations

Eleanor "Ann" Dupee left an enduring legacy upon her passing at the age of 82 on November 6, 2016. A longtime advocate for local...

Caribbean American Association Of Lake County Turns Up Hope For Jamaica

Community Organizations

Article and Photos by Larry Oskin, Marketing Solutions The Caribbean American Association of Lake County sponsored Turn Up Hope to help those devastated by the...

City of Minneola Honors The Brave Men And Women Who Made The Ultimate Sacrifice In Service in The US Military

Community Organizations

Residents of Minneola came together on Memorial Day in a moving display of remembrance, reflection, and gratitude as the community honored the brave men...

Steve Ferrell – Taking Action & Feeding Hope

Community Organizations

Kate Quinones, Second Harvest Food Bank Steve Ferrell, a Lake County resident and musician, continues taking action to help raise money to support local hunger...

Clermont Police Department Stuff A Cruiser

Community Organizations

by Chuck Seaver, South Lake Tablet The Clermont Police Department hosted the first scheduled “Stuff A Cruiser” event on December 3rd at Walmart, 1450 Johns...

Live Well Foundation of South Lake Opens 2026 Grant Cycle Focused on Mortality and Life Expectancy

Community Organizations

submitted by Amanda Nethero, The Live Well Foundation of South Lake The Live Well Foundation of South Lake (LWFSL) will open its fall 2026 Critical...

A Great Gift – CLERMONT: From Gem of the Hills to Choice of Champions

Community Organizations

A captivating chronicle of Clermont’s history has been beautifully compiled in the book CLERMONT: From Gem of the Hills to Choice of Champions. Edited...

Ribbon Cutting Celebrates the Grand Opening Of The Leslie B. Roberts Community Garden

Community Organizations

A celebration of hope, health, and healing took place in downtown Groveland as the community gathered for the official Grand Opening and Ribbon Cutting...

Groveland To Debut Founders’ Gala Benefitting The Neighborhood Center of South Lake (October 10)

Community Organizations

Groveland is preparing to celebrate its rich history, strong community spirit, and commitment to helping others with the city’s inaugural Founders’ Gala, a special...

Open in Groveland: Elese Tomlin Empowerment Center

Community Organizations

The Elese Tomlin Community Center is owned by the City of Groveland, and managed and operated by Anointed Community Services International, Inc. to offer...

How And Where to Properly Retire A Worn U.S. Flag

Community Organizations

For many Americans, the United States flag is more than a symbol—it represents the nation’s history, freedoms, and the sacrifices made by generations of...

Building Blocks Marks 20 Years of Impact With Celebration And Art Auction Ending July 30

Community Organizations

This year, Building Blocks is celebrating 20 years of empowering individuals, fostering friendships, and creating opportunities throughout the community. On Thursday, July 30, at 7...

Live Well Foundation Grants $764,000 to Health-Related Projects in South Lake County and Issues First Challenge Grant up to 2M

Community Organizations

Live Well Foundation of South Lake completed its Transformation awards cycle at a grant celebration last night. “The Live Well Foundation board of directors...

Live Well Foundation of South Lake Invests Over $11 Million In South Lake County to Advance Health, Safety, Home Preservation, Healthcare and Health Science Workforce

Community Organizations

by Amanda Nethero, Live Well Foundation of South Lake Marking a major milestone for community health and well-being, the Live Well Foundation of South Lake...

The Neighborhood Center of South Lake Exists Because No One Should Go Hungry

Community Organizations

News From The Neighborhood Center of South Lake The Neighborhood Center of South Lake has been serving the South Lake community since 1972. We understand...

Toni Caracciolo of Falcon’s Beyond Is Chosen To The Board of Directors Of The Neighborhood Center Of South Lake

Community Organizations

From The Neighborhood Center of South Lake The Neighborhood Center of South Lake welcomes Toni Caracciolo of Falcon’s Beyond, to its Board of Directors. Toni is...

Eagle Scout Brendon Pagan Builds Two Benches For The Garden Club

Community Organizations

by Grace Rabano & the Clermont Garden Club If you stroll the grounds of the Clermont Garden Club at 849 West Ave in historic downtown...

Live Well Foundation Grants $330,000 to Health-Related Projects in South Lake County

Community Organizations

submitted by Amanda Nethero, Marketing Director, Live Well Foundation of South Lake Live Well Foundation of SouthLake completed their Capacity and Empowerment Grant awards and presented...

Live Well Foundation of South Lake Awards $1,000,000 Transformation Grant to the City of Clermont

Community Organizations

The Live Well Foundation of South Lake is proud to announce the awarding of a $1,000,000 Transformation Grant to the City of Clermont in...

Lake Community Arts Helping Children Learn To Sing

Community Organizations

by Larry Oskin, Lake Community Arts Lake Community Arts is pleased to announce the launch of their newest program -- Children Sing! Children Sing! is...

september

31julAll Day04octThe Orlando Museum of Art (OMA) invites visitors to keep marking America's Semiquincentennial Till Oct 4)

Event Details

The fireworks may be over, but the celebration is just getting started. The Orlando Museum of Art (OMA) invites visitors to keep marking America’s Semiquincentennial – the 250th anniversary of the 1776 signing of the Declaration of Independence – with USA 250: 250 Years on the Road to Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness.

While July 4 kicked off a year of national reflection, USA 250 gives Central Floridians months more to explore what 250 years of American life has looked like, through photography, painting, printmaking, collage, etching, and weaving that map the country’s landscapes, labor, movements, and ideals.

Envisioned as a road trip across the United States, USA 250 trails significant historical points of view where artists have recognized, responded to, or documented changing human experiences. The earliest painting on view hails from the late 19th-century Hudson River School and is displayed alongside works across media, extending into the contemporary era.

Doris Ulmann, Unititled Farmer with Pair of Jennies

Each wall in the exhibition corresponds to one of five geographical regions, beginning with the Southeast and moving counterclockwise through the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic, the Midwest, the North and Northwest, and concluding with the Southwest. Visitors can take the wheel and choose their own route – from photographs of the National Parks and Depression-era landscapes to paintings of American labor and Pop Art prints commissioned for the 1976 Bicentennial.

The exhibition features works by some of the most recognized names in American art, including Fritz Scholder, Grant Wood, Ansel Adams, Thomas Moran, Jasper Johns, Robert Rauschenberg, Claes Oldenburg, Robert Indiana, and Alfred Stieglitz, among others.

“In curating this exhibition, I wanted to share a breadth of experiences across the vast landscape that is the United States. Working with images and objects from our collection that recall the latter half of the 250 years since the American Revolution, a picture emerged of a nation that progressed through the Second Industrial Revolution and ushered in scientific, technological, social, urban, rural and environmental transformations,” said Katherine Page, associate curator at OMA. “Artists have been at the forefront of visualizing and recording those changes. As we honor the 250th anniversary of an ever-evolving country, I want visitors to dream and celebrate what the next 250 years of our future could hold.”

Also on view is an extension of the museum’s Echoes of the Ancient in Contemporary Voices exhibition: Mateo Blanco’s Arhuaco Flag (2025), a naturally dyed, handwoven cotton flag created in collaboration with the Arhuaco Indigenous people of Colombia and courtesy of the artist. The American flag represents Blanco’s journey, commemorates the nation’s 250th anniversary, and reflects on the enduring spirit of a country built on freedom, resilience, and the belief that everyone’s story matters.

USA 250 is on view at OMA through October 4.

For more information about the Orlando Museum of Art and upcoming events, please visit www.omart.org.

***

About the Orlando Museum of Art: Founded in 1924, the Orlando Museum of Art is a leading cultural institution in the Southeast, dedicated to stimulating creativity and intellectual curiosity by connecting people from all backgrounds and experiences with compelling art and new ideas.

Time

July 31 (Friday) - October 4 (Sunday)

Location

Orlando Art Museum

Calendar GoogleCal

19sep01novScreamin' Green Hauntoween

26sep7:30 amClermont Waterfront parkrun (Free 5k)

26sep9:00 am1:00 pmOakland Nature Preserve Family-Friendly Fun Day

Event Details

The Oakland Nature Preserve will welcome visitors for a day of exploration, education and family-friendly fun on Saturday, September 26, from 9 am to 1 pm at 747 Machete Trail in Oakland. The annual event serves as a fundraiser for the preserve, with all proceeds supporting its conservation, education and community outreach programs.

A special highlight of this year’s event will be the dedication of the Peggy Sias Lantz Memorial Library, celebrating a lasting legacy of learning and environmental stewardship. Visitors will also have the opportunity to receive free books during the library dedication festivities.

Guests can enjoy a wide variety of activities and exhibits designed to showcase the natural beauty and ecological importance of Central Florida. Nature enthusiasts can participate in guided birding, uplands and meditative hikes, explore the preserve’s scenic boardwalk, and learn about local ecosystems through presentations, visual displays and interactive exhibits focused on birds, insects, wildlife and water preservation.

Additional attractions include Wildlife Encounters, boat and kayak tours, educational programs, a Florida Master Naturalist Program (FMNP) highlight, and opportunities to learn about the preserve’s DarkSky initiatives and other innovative approaches to conservation.

Families will find plenty to enjoy, with kids activities, youth art displays, giveaways and hands-on experiences throughout the morning. Visitors can also browse exhibits presented by community organizations, conservation groups and local vendors.

Fundraising opportunities will include a silent auction, native plant sale, terrarium and tank sale, and a selection of merchandise, with proceeds directly benefiting the Oakland Nature Preserve’s mission.

The event will bring together exhibitors, educators, volunteers and nature lovers for a celebration of the environment and community spirit. Whether attendees are interested in wildlife, outdoor recreation, conservation education or simply spending time in nature, the festival offers something for all ages.

Parking will be available at Family Church, with complimentary shuttle service provided to and from the Oakland Nature Preserve throughout the event.

For organizers, the day represents more than a fundraiser—it is an opportunity to connect people with the natural world, inspire stewardship and demonstrate that conservation can be both meaningful and fun. From birding and wildlife encounters to educational presentations and community exhibits, visitors can expect a memorable morning filled with discovery, learning and, as organizers like to say, “fun people having fun.”

Time

(Saturday) 9:00 am - 1:00 pm

Location

Oakland Nature Preserve

747 Machete Trail, Oakland, Florida 34760

Calendar GoogleCal

26sep9:00 am1:00 pmNature Fest at Oakland Nature Preserve

26sep9:00 am8:00 pm11th Annual Southern Hill Farms Fall Festival

Event Details

Join us for the 11th Annual Southern Hill Farms Fall Festival, taking place September 26 through November 22 on select Thursdays and every Friday through Sunday, plus Monday, October 12! Enjoy a day of fall fun on the farm with carnival rides, a corn maze, u-pick flowers, a petting zoo, live music, pumpkins, food trucks, seasonal treats, photo opportunities and more. Admission tickets are required for all guests ages 3 and older and must be purchased online before arrival. Tickets purchased in advance are $28.95 plus tax and applicable fees per guest, tickets purchased on the same day of the event are $29.95 plus tax and applicable fees. Admission tickets are not sold at the farm. Children 2 and under enter free and do not need a paid admission ticket. However, they must be included in the “Children 2 & Under” section of an accompanying adult’s ticket order. More information and tickets are available here: https://southernhillfarms.ticketspice.com/fall-festival-2026?t=macaroni.
Event Dates and Hours:
Thursday, October 8, 15, 22 and 29: 11 AM – 7 PM
Fridays: 11 AM – 8 PM
Saturdays: 9 AM – 8 PM
Sundays: 9 AM – 7 PM
Monday, October 12: 11 AM – 5 PM
The farm is closed Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday, with the exception of Monday, October 12.
Included with Admission
Your paid admission ticket includes access to:
Fun Zone rides and attractions
Corn maze
Petting zoo
Farm wagon rides
Yard games
Face painting
Live music
Covered playground
Photo opportunities
Fire pits
Access to the u-pick flower fields
Flowers, pumpkins, food, beverages, merchandise, s’mores kits and other retail items are available for an additional purchase.
Fun Zone Rides and Attractions
The following Fun Zone activities are included with paid admission:
Southern Hill Farms Express motorized train
Tilt-A-Whirl
Scrambler
Giant Fun Slide
Cyclone Swing
Pirate Ship Swing
Jump Pillows
Rock Climbing Wall
Carousel
Berry Go Round
Berry-Trooper
Papa’s Roadsters
Bungee Jump
Inflatable sports games
Bounce houses
Inflatable obstacle course
Select Fun Zone attractions have minimum or maximum height and weight requirements. Please download the Southern Hill Farms app before your visit to review the requirements for each attraction.
U-Pick Flowers
Stroll through our sunflower, zinnia and seasonal cut flower fields to pick your own flowers.
Access to the flower fields is included with admission, but guests must pay for all flowers they pick. Flower availability will vary throughout the season based on weather, crop conditions and guest participation. Guests must pay for at that they pick, please only pick flowers you intend to purchase.
Pumpkins and Fall Décor
Visit our Pumpkin Barn to shop a wide variety of pumpkins and gourds in unique sizes, shapes and colors. Prices vary based on the size and type of each item. Please note that pumpkins are precut from the vine. After purchasing your pumpkins, leave them in our complimentary Pumpkin Holding Area while you continue enjoying the festival. Remember to pick them up before leaving the farm.
Food on the Farm
Come hungry! Food and beverages are available for purchase throughout the festival.
Weekend Hours: The bakery opens at 9 AM and Southern Hill Farms food trucks open at 10 AM on Saturdays and Sundays.
Weekday Hours: The bakery and Southern Hill Farms food trucks open at 11 AM on Thursdays, Fridays and Monday, October 12.
Southern Hill Farms dining options include:
Pizzeria
Taco Truck
Crispy Chicken
Burgers & More
Stop by the bakery for our fan-favorite hot apple cider donuts, blueberry lemonade and other seasonal treats.
Guests can also enjoy freshly roasted nuts, kettle corn, snow cones, seasonal concessions and s’mores kits with roasting sticks.
Local craft beer, wine, seasonal frozen beverages and mimosas are available for purchase from the Beer Shed.
Food vendors, menu items and operating hours are subject to change.
Shop the Southern Hill Market
Bring home the feeling of fall with products made right here at Southern Hill Farms.
Shop handmade lotions, sugar scrubs, lip balms, bar soaps, hand-poured candles, local raw honey, organic pure maple syrup and Southern Hill Farms merchandise during your visit.
Can’t make it to the farm or want to shop from home? Visit the Southern Hill Farms Market online anytime to browse available products and have your favorites shipped directly to you.

Product availability may vary between our farm market and online store.
Farm Amenities
Enjoy convenient amenities throughout the farm, including:
Permanent restrooms
Rooftop deck
Covered playground
Covered barns with picnic tables
Seasonal photo opportunities
Fire pits for roasting s’mores
Flat-screen TVs showing select sporting events under the Food Truck Barn
Ticket Arrival Information
Thursday and Friday Tickets
Thursday and Friday are general admission dates. Guests may arrive anytime between 11 AM and farm close.
Saturday and Sunday Tickets
Weekend tickets require a selected arrival time.
Your ticket is valid for entry beginning 15 minutes before your selected reservation time through farm close. You may stay until the farm closes once you enter. Please do not arrive more than 15 minutes before your selected time.
Ticket Changes, Transfers and Refunds
All ticket sales are final and nonrefundable.
If your plans change, you may edit your ticket for another available date or transfer it to a friend or family member. Changes are subject to ticket availability and any applicable price difference.
The person using the transferred ticket assumes all risks associated with participating in the event.
Weather, Crops and Event Changes
All event dates, hours, entertainment, attractions, food vendors, crop availability and other event details are subject to change or cancellation.
Crop availability depends on weather, growing conditions and guest participation. Attractions may temporarily close due to weather, maintenance, staffing or other unforeseen circumstances.
Please check our website and the Southern Hill Farms app on the day of your visit for last-minute updates before traveling to the farm.
Southern Hill Farms does not issue refunds due to weather, crop availability, attraction closures, entertainment changes or other unforeseen circumstances. When permitted, guests may move their tickets to another available date.

Know Before You Go
Please review these important ticket details and farm policies before your visit:
Tickets are required for all guests ages 3 and older.
Children 2 and under enter free and do not need a ticket.
Admission tickets must be purchased online before arrival and are not sold at the farm.
All ticket sales are final and nonrefundable.
Weekend tickets require a selected arrival time. Guests may arrive up to 15 minutes before their selected time or anytime afterward until the farm closes.
This is a cashless event. Credit, debit and mobile payments are accepted for purchases made during your visit.
Pets are not permitted on the farm.
Outside food, alcohol and coolers are not permitted.
Drones and large or obtrusive photography equipment and props are not permitted.
Guests must supervise children at all times.
Guests must follow posted rules and team member instructions.
Shoes and shirts must be worn throughout the farm.
Southern Hill Farms is a working farm. Parking lots, pathways and activity areas may include grass, dirt, uneven ground and other natural surfaces. Please wear comfortable, weather-appropriate shoes.

WARNING
Under Florida law, an agritourism operator is not liable for injury or death of, or damage or loss to, a participant in an agritourism activity conducted at this agritourism location if such injury, death, damage, or loss results from the inherent risks of the agritourism activity. Inherent risks of agritourism activities include, among others, risks of injury inherent to land, equipment, and animals, as well as the potential for you to act in a negligent manner that may contribute to your injury, death, damage, or loss. You are assuming the risk of participating in this agritourism activity. Chapter 2013 – 179, Section 570.96