by Grace Rabano & the Clermont Garden Club

 

If you stroll the grounds of the Clermont Garden Club at 849 West Ave in historic downtown Clermont, you will spy 2 new beautiful wooden benches in the gardens. The benches were made and gifted to the Clermont Garden Club by Brendon Fagan as part of his Eagle Scout project. Being an Eagle Scout is the highest rank in scouting, achieved by executing a significant service project in the community. Only 6% of Boy Scouts achieve the rank of Eagle Scout.

Brendon Fagan, of Scout Troop #268, contacted the Clermont Garden Club about a year ago inquiring about projects he can do for the club. It was decided that the club could use a couple of outdoor benches for visitors to sit, relax, and enjoy the gardens. Brendon planned the project, purchased all materials, constructed 2 wooden benches and installed them on pavers on the grounds of the garden club. He demonstrated leadership and coordinate help from 4-5 other scouts. A total of 46 hours was needed for Brendon to complete this Eagle project.

The Clermont Garden Club is a 501(c)(3) non profit organization and is grateful for Brendon Fagan’s generous gift to the club.

 

Come visit the Clermont Garden Club during an upcoming free special club event:

• ART STROLL on Sat., April 11, 2026 at 10 am to 3 pm: In collaboration with the South Lake Art League, garden art will be showcased throughout the clubhouse grounds. There will be raffles, free kids’ crafts table and scavenger hunt! See attached photos of the beautiful garden art featured at the Art Stroll last Fall.

 

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Marking a major milestone for community health and well-being, the Live Well Foundation of South Lake makes a significant philanthropic investment of more than $11 million in Transformation Grants to organizations and public partners addressing many of South Lake County’s most critical and complex community needs.

“These Transformation Grants represent intentional investments in solutions that strengthen our community at its core,” said Susan McLean, Grant Committee Chair of the Live Well Foundation of South Lake. “Each award reflects our commitment to supporting initiatives that create meaningful, lasting impact for the people of South Lake County.”

The Transformation Grant program supports bold, systems-level initiatives that improve population health and align with the Foundation’s mission to inspire sustainable initiatives that enhance the health and wellness of the South Lake community.

Commonsense Childbirth, Inc. received a $200,000 Transformation Grant to expand services into South Lake County through a Maternal Mental Health Telehealth Initiative. Commonsense will offer culturally responsive care that supports families throughout pregnancy, childbirth, and the postpartum period to South Lake residents.

Fire Departments of Groveland and Clermont were awarded $250,000 Collaborative Grant to support implementation of “Safe Haven” Baby Boxes units. The project will install secure, temperature-controlled incubators on the exterior walls of fire stations. Safe Haven Baby Boxes are an alternative for a parent in crisis through anonymous and legal surrender of an infant. Purpose is prevention of illegal abandonment and to provide vulnerable residents with needed information on personal care.

Habitat for Humanity of Lake-Sumter, Florida was awarded a $900,000 Transformation Grant, distributed over three years, to support the South Lake Community Preservation and Repair program. This grant with Habitat aims to address housing challenges throughout South Lake County by providing critical home repairs and legal guidance. In addition, this grant will continue to educate clients with home maintenance education to solidify the personal responsibilities required of homeownership.

Lake-Sumter State College received a $10,000,000 Transformation Grant to support construction of a new 35,000-square-foot Health Sciences Building at its South Lake Campus in Clermont. This contribution, along with other matching funds, will allow LSSC to construct a new 35,000 sq. ft. building focused on Health Sciences at its South Lake Campus in Clermont, Florida, aimed at expanding healthcare education and growing local health science workforce with completion targeted for August 2027.

“These projects reflect a deliberate focus on long-term impact,” said Linda Smith, Board Vice Chair. “Each grant was selected through a careful review process that prioritized sustainability, accountability, and the potential to strengthen systems that support health and quality of life in South Lake County.”

Donna Kirtland, Executive Director of the Live Well Foundation of South Lake, said, “Our board remains deeply committed to partnering with health and nonprofit organizations that are addressing the social drivers of health in our community.”

She added, “The dedication of our volunteer board and grant committee is evident in their continued support of innovative health and wellness initiatives that will benefit future generations. This important work will continue in 2026, as we invest in additional grants targeting critical health and wellness priorities that influence the drivers of health.”

For more information about the Live Well Foundation of South Lake and the new 4-cycle 2026 critical issue grant initiatives, please visit www.lwfsl.com.

 About Live Well Foundation of South Lake

 Established in 2019, the Live Well Foundation of South Lake is a private 501(c)(3) foundation dedicated to improving the health and wellness of South Lake County. The Foundation fulfills its mission through strategic grantmaking that supports sustainable, community-based initiatives focused on long-term impact.

Live Well Foundation of South Lake invests in solutions that strengthen individual and community well-being, guided by a commitment to measurable outcomes and responsible stewardship. Its work is grounded in a simple return on investment: better health, for life.

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Lake Community Arts is pleased to announce the launch of their newest program — Children Sing! Children Sing! is now open to children ages 7 through 11 years old and will make their performance debut at the Lake Community Arts Spring concert entitled I Hear America Singing on Saturday, May 9^th starting at 6 pm in the Clermont Performing Arts Center. This local musical venture marks the ever-expanding inaugural season for Lake Community Arts with their newest program for children by kicking it all off with weekly rehearsals starting Thursday, February 12^th from 6 pm to 7 pm in the Clermont Performing Arts & Recreation Center.

Co-Founder and Director of Lake Community Arts, Chad McClellan notes, “We are incredibly excited to start our newest program Children Sing! and to be ready to have them perform alongside the 150+ voice Lake Community Choir in I Hear America Singing! We are very fortunate to have this new children’s choir led by veteran elementary music teachers Rachel Robertson, Debbie Fahmie, and Erin Nesslage. This program will be more than just a stand-and-sing choir. Participants will be able to learn, sing, use percussion instruments, and more in a fun and exciting environment that they will be inspired to return to enjoy our weekly rehearsals. We have opened Children Sing! to children in our area who will love to sing, perform, grow, and to be inspired by music. These young singers will build confidence, teamwork, and creativity while strengthening their musical, listening, and focus skills. Through joyful ensemble singing, movement, and rhythm exercises, the participating children will be encouraged to grow socially, emotionally, and academically while finding their voices in more ways than one.”

Rachel Robertson, the Children Sing! Instructor shared: “Lake Community Arts is thrilled to start our exciting new performance group, Children Sing! This will be a comprehensive musical experience that will give our children the opportunity to not only sing, but also to play an interactive role in the creative process.  As we gear up for our community performances, we will strengthen our children’s musicianship skills and build community spirit in a creative way.  We look forward to making music with your children!”

LCA Board President Leiland Theriot notes, “At Lake Community Arts, our mission is to unite, inspire, and transform our community through inclusive visual and performing arts while engaging individuals of all ages, abilities, and backgrounds, while strengthening our community through the power of the arts. We look forward to expanding our reach by creating more opportunities in music, theatre, dance, visual arts, and music education.”

Future LCA performances will include public concerts and special events to showcase local talent and foster a sense of belonging for both performers and audiences. Future program expansion will include more LCA opportunities for adult and youth choir singers, musicians, theatre performers, the visual arts, and music education. Support through donations and sponsorships will allow them to expand our offers, increasing our artistic impact in Lake County. Registration will open soon for their 2026 spring concert. Tickets will also soon be available for I Hear America Singing!

Lake Community Choir is open to all singers ages 14 and up with no experience required. This non-auditioned ensemble brings together voices from across Lake County and beyond to perform a wide variety of choral music in a supportive and inclusive environment. Whether you’re an experienced singer or someone who simply loves to sing, Lake Community Choir offers an opportunity to connect, make music, and be part of something joyful and meaningful. Our Tuesday night rehearsals focus on skill-building, community, and artistic excellence, while culminating in public performances that will celebrate the power of music to bring people together.

For more information on Lake Community Arts and to register for our choirs, visit: www.LakeCommunityArts.org. For those interested in the future theatrical performances, contact Christopher Fahmie at: CFahms@GMail.com. To help expand the LCA artistic impact in Lake County, you can make a tax deductible donation at LakeCommunityArts.org/support. Follow Lake Community Arts on Facebook at: https://www.facebook.com/lakecommunityarts/ and on social media @LakeCommunityArts.

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The Caribbean American Association of Lake County sponsored Turn Up Hope to help those devastated by the most recent hurricane disaster in Jamaica, in collaboration with the City of Clermont.

This was a special event filled with inspiring music, thoughtful prayers, emotional speeches, testimonials, warmth, tears, hugs, unity, and spirit dedicated to help support the ravaged Jamaican island community. Some speakers and performers who just came back from Jamaica shared their first-hand view of the destruction, sadness, and devastation. Many local South Lake residents showed up to support this Caribbean venture, and other local area dignitaries. Donations of money and supplies are still needed.

All proceeds raised went to benefit the Jamaican medical clinics, and infirmaries with extra support for struggling single mothers. Besides buying tickets with charitable donations, attendees brought plenty of clothes, towels, blankets, dishes, kitchenware, medical equipment, and supplies, as well as baby and hygiene products.

An array of gospel, jazz, reggae, and other talented performers included 3 MCs with Rohan Lawrence, Sophie G, and Pastor Rosemarie Roth. The honorable Peter Gracy as a Florida representative who flew in from Jamaica to give us an informative update. Performers and speakers included D’Angel, Qupid, Joan Myers, Shirley Willis, Myoka, Mercy J, Sherell Rose Green, and DJ Charlie Brown, some who came in from their homeland of Jamaica just to help this event.

CAALC President Mitchell Hill welcomed and thanked everyone, while sharing “My heartgoes out to Jamaica and to its people. This special program dubbed Turn Up Hope: Rebuilding Jamaica for a Brighter Tomorrow was created in collaboration with Mayor Tim Murry, the city of Clermont, Pastor Rosemarie Roth, and Caribbean American Association of Lake County.

Hill acknowledged and recognized the Mayor of Clermont, saying, “Mayor Tim Murry is a good man, a man with a heart full of love, a strong leader, and someone who truly feels Jamaica’s pain. When I approached him to seek permission to use this building for this afternoon’s concert, he didn’t hesitate. He simply said, “Brother Hill, I’m in. Go speak with the Parks Manager.” Hill continued, “Jamaica, we are seated here tonight through the strong support of both the City of Clermont led by our Mayor and the Clermont Police Department. Jamaica says thank you! To all the members of our CAALC, we thank you. You did a remarkable job organizing this concert in such a short time. Your hard work makes me look good, and I am truly grateful to serve as your president.”

Mitchell Hill added, “To Pastor Rosemarie Roth who is a true powerhouse, dedicated, loving, and a caring woman whom we thank for her commitment and partnership. To all the performing artists, you gave your time and your talent completely free of cost to support Jamaica. I can only imagine the smile and joy that will follow you as you rest tonight, knowing you poured into a nation in need. To the Honorable Peter Gracy who has traveled here to update us on the work that is continuing in Jamaica. To everyone supporting this concert, we thank you. We thank you all for your prayers, your support, and your unwavering encouragement in helping bring this concert to life. Jamaica, we love you. It could have been any other Caribbean country, but tonight we have gathered to turn up hope for Jamaica! We must help rebuild Jamaica for a brighter tomorrow.”

CAALC was incorporated as a 501-C3 charitable organization with an all-volunteer membership driven organization to serve Lake County. Everyone is invited to join their monthly meetings held every third Saturday at 7 PM at the South Lake Presbyterian Church at 131 Chestnut Street, in Clermont, FL 34711. For more information, contact Caribbean American Association of Lake County at 352-978-0813, Email: CAALC2004@GMail.com and visit: https://caalc-fl.org/. Like and follow them on Facebook at: https://www.facebook.com/CAALC123.

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The CPD will be hosting two additional “Stuff A Cruiser” opportunities in the coming days. The next day of giving is scheduled for December 8th, from 3-6 pm at the Belk Store, 270 Citrus Tower Boulevard. In support of bringing holiday cheer to our seniors in need, participants are encouraged to donate new, unwrapped items such as clothing, slippers, toiletries, and blankets to help fill the cruiser with gifts for our senior community members.

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The garden represents far more than just a green space—it is a living symbol of unity and renewal. Designed to bring people together, promote healthy living, and foster meaningful relationships, the Leslie B. Roberts Community Garden offers a place where residents can literally and figuratively plant the seeds of community spirit.

This inspiring project was made possible through the vision and leadership of Libby’s Legacy Breast Cancer Foundation, whose mission of hope and healing inspired the initiative. The foundation was joined by a powerful network of local partners, including the City of Groveland, South Lake Chamber of Commerce, Live Well Foundation of South Lake, Brasfield & Gorrie, SiteOne Landscape Supply, Full Spectrum Professional Services, and Sprinkler Repair Company—all working together to make the dream a reality.

As the ribbon was cut and guests toured the space, the sense of collaboration and community pride was unmistakable. The Leslie B. Roberts Community Garden stands as a reminder of what can flourish when compassion, vision, and teamwork take root.

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Did you know that in 1916-1917 Clermont built a large, two-story, brick schoolhouse complete with 500 lb. bell?  Well, it did!  And that school was in use well into the second half of the 20^th century.  In fact, there are still some people living in Clermont who attended that school!

Unfortunately, that building was eventually torn down (you can see some items from it inside the one-room schoolhouse replica at the Historic Village) and it was necessary to find a new home for the big bell.  The vast majority of the people living in and around Clermont had no idea where it was housed, even though they frequently walked right past it.

If you have ever been at the corner of 8^th and Minneola, directly across from Pepe’s Cantina, you are one of those people.  I know I was!  Yes, that tower on the corner was the home of the bell for many years.  All you had to do was walk into the center of it and look straight up.  Not exactly putting the bell on public display.

A few years ago, Clermont’s then City Manager, Brian Bulthuis, started a plan to move the bell to new, more visible location where it could be seen and appreciated.  Just recently the city completed a open structure that allows the bell to be viewed by the public but protects it from being handled or rung because of its age. Made in Baltimore, Maryland in 1884, the bell is one of the oldest items on display at the Historic Village.

There are lots of interesting stories about Clermont and its history—both long-ago and more recently.  The Clermont Historic Village is the perfect place to learn some of these stories and spend a relaxing afternoon.  Located on the shores of beautiful Lake Minneola at 490 West Avenue, the Village is open every Saturday and Sunday from 1:00 to 4:00PM.  A donation of $5.00 per person over 12 is requested.

If you are interested in the history of Clermont in particular or history in general, why not consider joining the Historical Society.  Dues are only $25.00 for an individual or $35.00 for a couple.  The Historical Society meets on the second Monday of every month in the Railroad Depot at the Village.  The board meetings start at 6:00 pm and are open to the public.  The next meeting is November 10^th.

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Steve Ferrell, a Lake County resident and musician, continues taking action to help raise money to support local hunger relief efforts. He has hosted an annual ‘Lunchtime Concert’ for the past 17 years, and his most recent event, he  raised $35,651 for Second Harvest Food Bank of Central Florida. To learn more, visit FeedHopeNow.org.

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Live Well Foundation of SouthLake completed their Capacity and Empowerment Grant awards and presented awards at their September 16^th board of directors meeting. “The Foundation board’s charge is to move the needle on community health. Each proposal advances prevention, early detection, and access to care. Exactly where our data show the need is greatest for South Lake residents,” said Donna Kirtland, Live Well Foundation Executive Director.Kirtland noted the $330,000 philanthropic contributions will beginSeptember 17^th and are slated for continued disbursements over the nextfew years.

“This grant cycle is about closing real gaps—dental care in Four Corners, breast-health access and education, inclusive health services for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, and a hub that brings screenings and resources to rural families. By staging our investments, we’re funding outcomes we can measure over time” noted board chair Rodney Drawdy. Funds have been granted to the following:

• Community Health Centers: The mission of Community Health Centers (CHC)is to be a community-driven healthcare organization dedicated to serving patients and families locally, in the neighborhoods they know and trust. CHC provides high-quality, compassionate care to diverse communities while overcoming economic, cultural, and geographic barriers to access. With the support of a $100,000 grant, CHC will expand dental care access in Four Corners, Lake County, by adding a full-time dentist to its Four Corners location. This initiative will increase the services available as well as increasing schedule availability from four to five days per week.
• Libby’s Legacy Breast Cancer Foundation: The mission of Libby’s Legacy Breast Cancer Foundationis to provide comprehensive services to underserved individuals through education, mammograms, and patient navigation. With the support of a $30,000 grant, Libby’s will enhance their online presence into a single platform that will feature nutrition education, cancer prevention resources, a patient support portal, and online health applications. This enhancement will provide digital health access, information on disease prevention, and strengthening client mental health support.Special Olympics Inc.: The mission of Special Olympics Inc.is to provide year-round sports training and competition in Olympic-type sports for individuals with intellectual disabilities, offering opportunities to build physical fitness, demonstrate courage, experience joy, and share their gifts and skills with family, fellow athletes, and the community. With the support of a $100,000 grant, Special Olympics Florida will expand health and wellness services in South Lake County by providing preventative screenings and comprehensive programming for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
• Stuckey Community Improvement Group: The mission of the SGIC is to elevate the quality of life for residents of South Lake County while honoring the enduring values of hope, dignity, and compassion that strengthen the community. With the support of a $100,000 grant, SCIG is establishing a Community Empowerment Center in South Lake County to serve low-income residents in our rural areas. The center will offer educational opportunities, youth development programs, and economic empowerment services designed to help families thrive.

“What excites me is the sustainability built in,” said Susan McLean, Live Well Foundation of South Lake Grant Committee Chair. “A full-time dentist; a unified digital front door for breast-health and prevention; year-round wellness for Special Olympics athletes; and a community center that meets rural families where they are. That’s impact that endures.”

About Live Well Foundation of South Lake – The Live Well Foundation of South Lake, established in 2019 as a 501(c)(3) and dedicated to inspiring sustainable initiatives that enhancethe health and wellness of the South Lake community, aspires to attract, and fund much needed healthcare and healthy lifestyle programs toserve residents. Visit Live Well Foundation of South Lake online at lwfsl.org for more information.

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Guided by dedicated village volunteer Donna DiGennaro, the students explored artifacts, exhibits, and stories that brought the events of World War II to life. Their enthusiasm was evident as they engaged with the displays and asked thoughtful questions throughout the tour.

As the visit came to a close, the students left a lasting impression—not only for their curiosity and conduct but also for the heartfelt appreciation they showed their guide. “We love you, Miss Donna!” echoed from the group as they departed the museum, filling the air with warmth and gratitude.

“We were impressed with how well the students behaved and in awe that they walked four hot, humid miles to get over to the Village during their training that day—and four miles back!” shared DiGennaro. “Their dedication and respect were truly inspiring.”

The visit was more than just a field trip—it was a living lesson in history, discipline, and community engagement.

The Historic Village is located at 490 West Avenue, not far from the downtown shopping district.  It is open to the public every Saturday and Sunday from 1:00 pm to 5:00 pm.  A donation of $5.00 per person over 12 is requested.  

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