Central Florida Dreamplex invites the community to celebrate the magic of the holiday season six months early at its annual Christmas in July event on Wednesday, July 15, 2026, from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm at The Friendship Place & Friendly Grounds Cafe, located at 2400 S. Hwy. 27, Suite 4108, Clermont. The festive evening will raise funds to support programs for individuals with disabilities and special needs while bringing together families, supporters, and community members for a unique summer holiday experience.

Guests will enjoy Christmas music, complimentary holiday-inspired cocktails, festive desserts, raffles, handcrafted ornaments created by Friendship Place participants, and free ice cream provided by Pat’s Soft Serve. The event is free to attend, but registration is required.

A highlight of the evening will be the Golf Ball Drop Raffle, where participants have the chance to win up to $1,000 cash. Numbered golf balls will be dropped during the event, and the ball landing closest to the designated target will win the grand prize. Raffle tickets are available in advance, with proceeds directly benefiting The Friendship Place and its mission of empowering adults with disabilities through life skills, vocational training, and social engagement opportunities.

“We’re excited to bring the community together for a fun and meaningful evening that celebrates inclusion, connection, and opportunity,” said Cameron Gomes, Chief Executive Officer of Central Florida Dreamplex. “Christmas in July is more than a holiday-themed event; it’s an opportunity for our community to support individuals of all abilities while creating unforgettable memories.”

Golf Ball Drop Raffle Details

• 1 Golf Ball: $10
• 3 Golf Balls: $25
• 8 Golf Balls: $50
• 20 Golf Balls: $100

The deadline to purchase raffle tickets is Sunday, July 12, 2026, at 11:59 pm.  The winner will be announced during the event and does not need to be present to win. If total raffle ticket sales are less than $2,000, the prize will be awarded as a 50/50 payout.

Event Information

To register for the event or purchase Golf Ball Drop Raffle tickets, visit: www.CFLDreamplex.com/Christmas-in-July

About Central Florida Dreamplex – Central Florida Dreamplex is a nonprofit organization dedicated to creating a community where individuals of all abilities can thrive. Through adaptive sports, therapy services, education, vocational training, social programs, and The Friendship Place, Dreamplex empowers individuals with disabilities to reach their full potential while fostering inclusion throughout Central Florida.

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Community members are invited to stop by, enjoy a cup of coffee and morning refreshments, and engage in informal conversations with CPD officers. Attendees will have the opportunity to ask questions, discuss community concerns, and learn more about the department in a relaxed and welcoming environment.

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Lion’s Den Mentorship Inc. extends its sincere gratitude to the City of Mascotte, camp staff, volunteers, parents, and most importantly the campers, who showed courage, creativity, and enthusiasm throughout the week.

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by Hallie Anderson, on behalf of the Orlando Museum of Art

An ongoing partnership with the Art Bridges Foundation enables free access to the museum each month

The Orlando Museum of Art (OMA) today announces its upcoming Access for All event on Thursday, June 18, offering free admission from 10 am to 8 pm. Access for All reflects OMA’s ongoing commitment to making art accessible to everyone. Made possible through generous support from the Art Bridges Foundation, the monthly program invites the community to experience free admission and engaging programming designed to inspire meaningful connections with art.

“By opening our doors for free each month, we are creating more opportunities for Central Florida residents and visitors to experience the power of art together,” said Cathryn Mattson, CEO of OMA. “Access for All is central to our mission, and this month’s event will invite the community to be among the first to see two important new additions to OMA’s permanent collection.”

Notably, the June 18 Access for All event will mark the unveiling of two newly acquired artworks in the Mr. & Mrs. Chesley Magruder II Gallery. Renowned photographer David LaChapelle has gifted OMA his work Annunciation (2019), and the museum has purchased Hispaniola II – Mia (2024) by artist Kandy G Lopez, winner of the 2025 Florida Prize in Contemporary Art People’s Choice vote. Together, the works reflect OMA’s commitment to collecting and presenting contemporary art that sparks conversation, connection and deeper understanding.

Additional events in the June 18 schedule include:

• 11 am -2 pm| Hands-on Activities

  • Families can enjoy hands-on art activities related to the Florida Prize in Contemporary Art exhibition in the museum’s Meeting Rooms.

• 2:30 pm| Gallery Talk

  • Museum-goers can learn more about the Florida Prize in Contemporary Art exhibition. Talk will focus on different artists and mediums that will invoke curiosity.                                  

• 5-7 pm | Sketching in the Galleries 

  • Drawing and sketching supplies will be available for artists of all ages to use. Museum goers can enjoy an evening at the museum and be inspired by artwork in the galleries.

• 7 pm | Highlights Tour

  • This docent-led tour provides opportunities for meaningful conversations with the entire family. Follow along with a docent as they take you from gallery to gallery, highlighting various works.

Guests are also encouraged to view the museum’s current exhibitions, including the Florida Prize in Contemporary Art, Echoes of the Ancient in Contemporary Voices, Dennis Scholl: A Day of Four Sunsets, and other permanent collection exhibitions.

Now in its 12th edition, the Florida Prize in Contemporary Art is OMA’s signature annual exhibition honoring some of the most compelling artists working across the state. This year’s exhibition, on view through August 23, features the largest number of selected artists in Florida Prize history, with 12 artists represented, including two collaborative duos. The 2026 lineup spans painting, photography, sculpture, assemblage, weaving, performance and large-scale immersive environments, offering visitors a dynamic snapshot of Florida’s cultural vitality.

“OMA’s newly acquired artworks and this year’s Florida Prize exhibition speak beautifully to the breadth of contemporary art being made today,” said Coralie Claeysen-Gleyzon, chief curator at OMA. “From David LaChapelle’s visionary photographic practice to Kandy G Lopez’s powerful fiber portraiture and the diverse voices represented in the 2026 Florida Prize, Access for All visitors will encounter works that engage memory, identity, spirituality, heritage and connection.”

In addition to free admission, Access for All events offer guided tours and engaging gallery activities, giving visitors the chance to connect with art in diverse and meaningful ways. Everyone is invited to join and experience the beauty and inspiration of art in a welcoming and inclusive setting.

For more information about the event and OMA’s exhibitions and programs, 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.

About Access for All: A three-year funding initiative to increase access to museums across the country and foster engagement with local communities. The $40 million pilot program supports 64 current Art Bridges Museum partners by covering the costs of admission, outreach, and other efforts that reduce barriers to access.

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Fellowship of Christian Athletes’ Ministry Camp Programs are now in progress involving students and coaches from all local South Lake County colleges, universities, high schools and middle schools.

Each camp event will share comprehensive athletic, spiritual and leadership training as a very positive life-changing experience. These inspirational summer camp programs have been designed to celebrate local athletic youth through a commitment to integrity, community service, teamwork, and excellence. They proudly shared their ministry with the FCA Mission, Vision, and Core Values. Registration is still open for their late June to July 2026 summer camps, including the FCA Champions Camp, Charge Camp, Coaches Family Camp and the Florida Leadership Camp. For needy families, FCA students can earn camp scholarships.

FCA Area Director, Tim Hancock noted, ” Our FCA Champions Camps are designed to help our coaches and our student athletes to be Champions for Christ on and off their field of competition. This year’s FCA camps theme is ‘Proven’. We are working to help our students learn what it looks like to go from proving their own worth to be proven in Jesus.”

The first one-day camp was held at the Family Christian Center in Clermont, FL. This camp was designed for young students. This diverse program had 116 student athletes attend with numerous inspiring prayers, motivating breakout discussion groups, tiger ball team competition, indoor Olympic games, ‘slamma jamma’ cheering, coaches’ sessions and motivating presentations led by Tim Hancock, Khalil ‘Tuck’ Tucket, Katrina Cox, Amanda Palomares, Pastor Hector Ilarraza, Pastor Bobby Crespo and the Family Christian Worship Band. The speakers shared interactive themes about how to lead a better life, how to stay connected to Jesus, how to build your own identity with cultivated connections, obedience and joy. Palomares shared, “What we choose in our lives matters. You need to learn how to plant the seeds for your future growth. It’s always a great time to read your bibles to learn from the scriptures, so you can get a head start on your life by learning the best lessons and ways.”

The June 4 to 7 FCA Camp was a 3-day experience was held at the Lake Yale Conference Center, Leesburg, for all FCA coaches and their families. They shared how coaches spend their valuable time and energy focused on all of their young FCA students. This camp was aimed at providing their FCA coaches, their spouses, and children with a weekend getaway spend quality time together through fellowship, competition, worship, and huddles, with some free time to grow their relationships with the Lord, their families, local FCA staff, and peers. 

June 22-26, 2026 FCA Charge Camp & Donor Night: This 3-day camp will be hosted at Southeastern University, in Lakeland. This camp is now full.

July 3-6, 2026 FCA Florida Leadership Camp: This 4-day program will be held at Camp Lake Swan in Melrose, FL for incoming 6^th graders to graduating 12^th graders. There will be a huddle specifically designed to equip and ready each student for their college experience. This camp is only $375 per student and $150 per adult. Registration cutoff is June 14.

July 2026 — FCA Football Camp: With 20 participating teams from across Central Florida, FCA will help each team in their pre-season preparations on how to best launch their most successful new football seasons.

FCA has developed an inspired community that works with their students and coaches to see the world transformed in a very positive manner through shared Christianity. Fellowship of Christian Athletes’ programs strive to help their participating students to be inspired to become better individuals and teammates. They work to consistently engage, equip and empower everyone to achieve success through their ministry. FCA Coaches travel to each of the South Lake schools while coaching, teaching, and instructing student athletes. FCA Leadership Huddles are held regularly year-round to encourage athletes, coaches, and campuses to live and compete using biblical principles through the platform of athletic competition.

For more information about South Lake County of Fellowship of Christian Athletes, visit: www.SouthLakeCountyFCA.org. For more information and to register online for the FCA Camps, visit: https://www.southlakecountyfca.org/summer-camp. Volunteers, donors and sponsors are always appreciated. Follow them on Facebook at: https://www.facebook.com/southlakecountyfca.

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Smith was taken into custody during a coordinated operation at 1130 Linton Court, Unit A, the same location where the homicide occurred on May 20, 2026. The arrest was completed without incident, and Smith was transported to the Lake County Jail, where he was booked on a charge of First-Degree Murder.

The investigation began on May 20, when Clermont Police officers responded to reports of a shooting at the residence. Upon arrival, officers discovered Rodriguez, 47, suffering from multiple gunshot wounds inside the home. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

According to investigators, Rodriguez, a close associate of Smith, had been staying at the residence for several weeks prior to the shooting. During the initial investigation, detectives recovered the suspected murder weapon—an AR-style pistol chambered in .223/5.56 caliber.

Smith was detained and interviewed by detectives on the evening of the incident. During that interview, he claimed he had acted in self-defense following a verbal altercation with Rodriguez earlier in the day. At the time, investigators had not identified witnesses or obtained evidence sufficient to contradict Smith’s account. As a result, Smith was released while detectives continued their investigation.

Over the following weeks, Clermont Police detectives conducted an extensive investigation that included numerous interviews, the execution of multiple search warrants, and the issuance of several subpoenas. Working closely with the State Attorney’s Office for Florida’s Fifth Judicial Circuit, investigators pursued additional leads and analyzed forensic evidence.

As the investigation progressed, detectives developed probable cause to believe the shooting was not justified. Based on the evidence gathered, an arrest warrant was issued charging Smith with First-Degree Murder under Florida Statute 782.04(1)(a)(1).

Smith was arrested and remains in custody pending further judicial proceedings. Rodriguez’s next of kin have been notified.

The post Self-Defense Claim Unravels: Clermont Man Arrested for Murder in Fatal Shooting appeared first on South Lake Tablet.

For the high school baseball world within Lake County, it is hard to say “play ball” without thinking about Coach Kerry Whetro and his lifetime of dedication to America’s favorite pastime and hundreds of high school athletes that he has had the opportunity to not only coach, but also mentor in a way that only a hometown-style coach can do.

Coach Whetro officially wrapped up a 42-year career at the closure of this school year. A career that would include a move to Florida from Ohio and 600+ total baseball game wins. Coach Whetro speaks with fondness regarding his childhood memories that would eventually lead to his lifetime of commitment to youth baseball coaching. “My dad, Hal, was a big influence on my life and my interest in baseball. My dad was a referee, umpire, and Little League coach for 50 years in our small and very rural hometown of Edgerton, Ohio,” says Coach Whetro.

The Coach recalls family vacations every year that included traveling to the Little League World Series. “I was playing little league myself then, so the trips were very exciting. We had the opportunity to meet baseball greats such as Tommy John (also known as the Bionic Man), Pete Rose, and Cal Ripken (also known as the Iron Man), while at the World Series,” says Coach Whetro.

Credit was also given to Coach Whetro’s school math teacher and baseball coach when he was growing up. Coach Peverly was not only a coach but a man who took the extra step in helping his players and his students. “He taught me a lot, about a lot of things. Mr. Peverly’s math skills taught me how to use protractors and calculate dimensions such as square footage and yards,” says Coach Whetro. Those skills would eventually help Coach Whetro to lay out the brand new and first baseball field at East Ridge High School in 2003.

From the early days of volunteering at the local recreation department in Edgerton during his early teen years, Coach Whetro would go on to play high school baseball before graduating high school and then earn his first degree in physical education at Mount Vernon Nazarene University in Ohio. He would later earn his master’s degree in education leadership at Indiana Wesleyan University, where he also helped coach a local Little League team. “Edgerton was a small farm town with little to offer long term – the only way out for kids graduating high school was sports or college,” says Coach Whetro.

When asked about memorable moments, Coach Whetro credited his hometown environment for his determination and unwillingness to give up on things that seemed impossible. “I was raised in a small community with a single small school, kindergarten through 12^th grade, and the small towns in Ohio were very judgmental about their local sports,” says Whetro. The coach recalls one such time when a rumor reached him outlining the opinion of a few parents that the team he was coaching at the time would never win a game due to the team’s size and small selection of talent to choose from within the town. Coach Whetro recalls, with a spirited smile, that the team not only won a majority of its games that year, but also advanced to the state finals that season. “We were only one pitch away from advancing to the final 4 that season – a little disappointed but the team, and parents were very pleased with the season,” says Coach Whetro.

For the next 14 years, Coach Whetro would teach elementary physical education and middle school math, as well as coach high school baseball at his hometown school in Edgerton. During that time, Coach Whetro was named coach of the All-Ohio Baseball Team in 1997. “I really enjoyed teaching just as much as I did coaching, especially when I got to see a kid go to college and make their dreams come true – a sentiment that continued through my entire career,” says Coach Whetro.

Life would lead to a brand-new opportunity for Coach Whetro and his wife, Paula, when the couple made the move to Florida in 1999. The family was truly travelling to Florida on spiritual faith, as the future was not certain, but the feeling of “a calling” was. Coach Whetro’s wife was working on a plan to create what would later become Building Blocks Ministries, an assistance program for adults with disabilities in south Lake County. This dream became a success and is still in operation today. Coach Whetro, at the same time, had been interviewed by phone with success and acceptance for a teaching position at the brand-new Windy Hill Middle School in Clermont. He began his Florida baseball coaching career at South Lake High School.

In 2003, Coach Whetro was asked to take on the Varsity Coaching position and set up the new baseball field at East Ridge High School. Coach Whetro led the school’s first baseball team to an 18-14 season. The team, which had no senior class that year, played in the regional final, making it to the final 8 in the state. The team was also the district runner-up that year.

The next year, Coach Whetro transferred to South Lake High School, where he enjoyed 9 continuous years of coaching with an impressive record of 175 wins against 92 losses, including one regional appearance in the final 16 and 1 district championship.

In 2019, Coach Whetro would make his final move to Lake Minneola High School, where records would be set, and young lives would receive opportunities that could make dreams come true. With a compilation of 169 wins vs 60 losses and one district runner-up, Coach Whetro also led the hard-working team to 7 district championships and 7 regional appearances. The team also finished in the Sweet-16 three times – a school record. One regional finals appearance also set a school record for the team advancing to the state playoffs.

Coach Whetro maintains an impressive career history, but he is quick to acknowledge the successes of students off the field as well as on. Sixty team players from Lake Minneola High School went on to attend college after graduating high school during Coach Whetro’s watch of 22 seasons. “It is harder for students/team players in Florida because there are so many kids here that are really good at playing baseball. Their work ethic is strong, and they are determined. I saw many half-day students attend workouts hours before ball practice began. Kids here care about their future and their present,” says Coach Whetro.

To many who know Coach Whetro, that determination and desire reflect not only his coaching abilities but his personality as well. Former Lake Minneola High School Principal Linda Shephard Miller – Mama Hawk, is quoted as saying in a 2021 Daily Commercialinterview honoring Coach Kerry Whetro’s 500^th win, “that she considered hiring Coach Kerry Whetro as one of the best decisions that she’s ever made for the school’s athletic program.”

One of Coach Whetro’s traits was his ability to communicate the word of God to students and players when they approached him with spiritual questions. “I couldn’t approach them, but if they approached me, I could share the word of God without preaching scripture. There are ways to do that without causing problems – referring to the public-school policies of church and state,” says Coach Whetro. The Fellowship of Christian Athletes would often hold pregame devotions and post-game prayer for those who wanted to participate.

Coach Whetro attributes his success to family, especially his wife Paula, who has remained at his side from the beginning of their marriage. His other coaching assistants include daughter Lora, son Bryan, daughter-in-law Veronica, and three grandchildren, Sophia, Wyatt, and Savannah.

What’s next for Coach Whetro, one might ask. It likely is not a couch and remote control as Coach Whetro and his wife continue their ministry of preaching the gospel in the Clermont area. The coach enjoys helping and watching his grandson Wyatt’s baseball team in Eustis. The couple enjoys vegetable gardening and is researching fun ways to grow food. The couple is also active members of the Kiwanis Club of Clermont, and Paula remains an active founding board member of the Building Blocks, the organization that she founded.

The staff at South Lake Tablet sincerely thanks you, Coach, for your many years of service to youth and community. We wish you and your family the best in your next chapter of life.

(Photos obtained from Coach Whetro)

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Join us for a Jurassic Expedition; A one-of-a-kind dinosaur encounter on Friday, June 19 at 11am at the Minneola City Hall Gym at 800 US-Hwy 27. This experience features two baby animatronic dinosaurs, guided by two professional dinosaur trainers, creating an immersive and memorable encounter for kids.

The program includes a Dinosaur Lab where students are introduced to age-appropriate concepts related to paleontology, fossils, and dinosaur behavior in an engaging, interactive format. Kids will rotate through eight fossil dig stations, allowing for small-group participation and hands-on discovery, while also enjoying three dinosaur themed activity stations.

Each participant will receive dinosaur trading cards and bookmarks as educational takeaways to extend the learning beyond the event.

This library’s Summer Reading Program (SRP) is FREE for all ages thanks to the generosity of the Friends of the Minneola Library. The library is located at 302 West Pearl Street in Minneola.

For more information email jdix@minneola.us or call Josie Dix at the library at (352) 432-3921.

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Want to learn what plants to put in your garden to attract more pollinators? Find out all that and more when you join butterfly expert Marc Minno on a 2-hour nature hike to increase our awareness of the natural world around us. By sharpening our powers of observation and interpretation, we will see nature in a new light by observing the things that are “hidden in plain sight,” and we will continue our monthly butterfly survey.

The butterfly surveys allow us to track monarchs and other butterflies. We’ll learn what plants we should put in our gardens to attract pollinators and birds. Gopher Tortoises, wild edible plants, insects, both friend and foe, and native plants will all be carefully studied in the natural habitat of The Florida Scrub-Jay Trail in Clermont.

Pack a brown bag lunch, binoculars, water bottle, and wear sensible shoes suitable for walking through the wilderness. Over lunch, you will have the opportunity to discuss your discoveries with Dr. Minno.

Bring your refillable water bottle as we will have plenty of water. Pack a brown bag lunch, binoculars, water bottle, and wear sensible shoes suitable for walking through the wilderness. Over lunch, you will have the opportunity to discuss your discoveries with Dr. Minno.

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