This FREE family-friendly event will bring the community together to celebrate Hispanic heritage with an exciting lineup of live entertainment, delicious Latin cuisine, local vendors, a Kids Zone, and activities for all ages.

Festival attendees will enjoy performances by:

• OrQ. Jaspe
• Cristianos Cantares De Amore
• Johnny Rez
• Willie Nieves
• Award-winning artist Craig Crawford
• Special guest Rene Gonzalez

Whether you’re coming for the music, the food, the culture, or simply spending quality time with family and friends, the Hispanic Heritage Latin Festival promises a memorable experience for everyone.

“We are excited to celebrate the rich traditions, music, and culture of the Hispanic community while bringing families together for a day of fellowship and fun,” organizers said.

Community members are encouraged to bring their lawn chairs, invite friends and neighbors, and enjoy an afternoon filled with entertainment, great food, and cultural celebration.

Admission is free and all are welcome.

For additional information and event updates, visit Better Life Church (332 Mohawk Road, Clermont)  at www.betterlifeworship.com.

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Uday Kadam and his Guru Indian Restaurant team are now celebrating their 12th anniversary. Guru offers you a very unique local experience in high quality Indian dining with the best customer service experiences. Guru Indian Restaurant was founded in 2014 by Owner and Chef Uday Kadam in Clermont, after he owned award winning restaurants in Orlando and across Florida. He knew that Clermont would be the most perfect community for a fine dining Indian food emporium.

Numerous community business leaders and dignitaries attended as they celebrated the start of their anniversary with a South Lake Chamber of Commerce Business After-Hours Red-Carpet event at The Venue, just across the patio from the Guru Indian Restaurant.

This successful local business offers over 50 authentic family entree recipes. Independently family owned, Guru Indian Restaurant proudly and independently serves their unique appetizers as well as their freshly cooked entrees with chicken, beef, lamb, seafood, Biryani, vegetable, and vegan entrée dishes while always custom preparing and cooking them to perfection. The staff will always ask you for your desired tastes and spice levels. Each dish is then created the way you want it, flavored from mild or normal, medium or hot and extra spicy. Guru Indian Restaurant continues to serve generous portions of fine quality fresh foods and ingredients available.

Clermont’s Guru Indian Restaurant has consistently been awarded over the years with ‘Best Indian Restaurant’ and ‘Best Entrée’ Awards by numerous organizations, various online and print media outlets. Other impressive honors include the ‘Best Entrée’ award at the Taste of South Lake Festivals and ‘Best Lunch Spot’ by the South Lake Chamber of Commerce. Guru has been named one of the very Top Restaurants in Central Florida since 2018 by nationally respected Trip Advisor. This past year, Trip Advisor named Guru Indian Restaurants one of the ‘Top 10% of the Restaurants in the World!” This past year, Uday published his tell-all life story with a book called, ‘Lone Lion’. It quickly became one of Amazon’s Top 10 Best Sellers.

David Colby noted, “Throughout his years in Clermont, this leader has made community involvement a meaningful part of his work. He proudly supports the men and women who serve and protect our community, by hosting an appreciation luncheon each fall for our Clermont Police, Fire, and Rescue EMT staffs to thank them for all they do. His generosity extends throughout the community through supporting local businesses such as the Clermont Woman’s Club Luncheon, and more through donations. He has also supported numerous local schools through sponsorships of athletic programs, art events, and cultural and educational activities, while often providing food to help make these events special for students, families, and staff.”

As one of South Lake’s most popular chefs, Uday Kadam recently received the very prestigious South Lake Chamber of Commerce Ann Dupee Gem of the Hills Award presented by SLCC CEO David Colby and Chamber Board Chairperson Donna Kirtland. David Colby noted, “We are pleased to present this SLCC Award to Uday Kadam as he is an individual whose dedication and service to the South Lake community embody the spirit of this prestigious honor. Through his businesses with Guru Indian Restaurant and now The Venue, he has created more than a place to enjoy a meal. He has created gathering places where people come together, celebrate milestones, conduct business, support charitable causes, and experience the culture and hospitality that have defined his career. We honor Uday Kadam as he continues his success story as defined by his generosity, gratitude, and a genuine commitment to giving back to the community he is proud to call home”

Uday Kadam recently opened The Venue across from the Guru Restaurant which has quickly become Clermont’s newest and most

premier event space. This spacious hall and outdoor patio space are available for private parties, fundraisers, galas, business events, and weddings as well as all special celebration events. The options are endless for parties, showers, and family reunions, as well as for private and corporate celebrations, they have started to offer a variety of delicious events starting with their new Sunday Brunch.

Follow The Venue on Facebook at:https://www.facebook.com/thevenueclermontfl. Visit: thevenueclermont.com. The Venue is located at 2400 South Highway 27 in Clermont, FL 34711 in Building 1-101 Unit A.

Kadam notes, “We are very thankful and appreciative of our loyal patrons, and our South Lake community. I remain very proud of our Guru and The Venue staff teams, as they consistently strive to deliver top quality customer service experiences”

Guru’s Indian Restaurant in Clermont is the perfect place to for tasty meetings and to celebrate any special event. They offer a free dine-in birthday entrée to anyone showing ID on their special day. Guru Indian Restaurant is open from 11 AM to 10:30 PM every day. They generously offer a bonus beverage with ToGo orders by visiting: www.MyGuruToGo.com. You can have Guru dishes delivered with Door Dash, Uber Eats or EZ Catering services. They are located at 2400 South Highway 27, Suite 101, 34711. Call 352-241-9884. Visit: www.GuruRestaurantCatering.com. Follow them on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/gururestaurantclermont.

The post Guru Indian Restaurant Celebrates 12 Tasty Years! Plus Now Offering Clermont a Beautiful Venue for All of Your Special Events appeared first on South Lake Tablet.

Laughter filled the room, friendly rivalries took center stage, and generosity stole the show at the sold-out Battle for Hope: Cops vs. Chamber, presented by AdventHealth. Held at the Wesley Center, the annual event brought together community leaders, businesses, and residents for an evening of fun and fundraising in support of Find, Feed & Restore.

The evening began with a warm welcome from Find, Feed & Restore Development Managers Holly Grant and Jeremy Elliott, who introduced guests to the organization’s mission and the impact their support makes throughout Lake County.

 

Find, Feed and Restore

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Lake County Commissioner Sean Parks delivered the invocation, followed by a beautiful rendition of The Star-Spangled Banner performed by Johanna Grant of Living Message Church. Guests also heard remarks from Lake County Commissioner Leslie Campione, while Kay Barnett, CEO of AdventHealth Minneola and presenting sponsor of the event, shared exciting updates about AdventHealth’s newest hospital in Minneola.

Following a delicious dinner, the highly anticipated battle began.

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The onstage game show competition featured the Clermont Police Department, led by Chief John Graczyk, facing off against the South Lake Chamber of Commerce Board, led by Chair Donna Kirtland.

The spirited showdown delivered plenty of laughs, playful banter, and memorable moments as both teams battled for bragging rights. Throughout the evening, supporters cheered on their favorites while enjoying the friendly rivalry that has become a signature part of the event.

Then came the surprise of the night.

In a stunning upset, the South Lake Chamber of Commerce captured the coveted Championship Belt, marking the first time the Clermont Police Department did not take home the title. The Chamber’s victory sparked enthusiastic cheers and plenty of celebration, while the Clermont Police Department graciously accepted defeat—at least until next year’s rematch.

The real winners, however, were the families who will benefit from the funds raised through the event. Battle for Hope was not only competitive and fun—it was a powerful reminder of what the community can achieve when it comes together for a cause that truly matters.

The evening also featured powerful client and business testimonials, highlighting the life-changing impact of Find, Feed & Restore’s programs and the importance of community partnerships in transforming lives.

Lisa Bishop, Program Director, introduced Shoncy Williams, who courageously shared her journey through hardship and recovery. Her heartfelt testimony illustrated how the support, guidance, and housing assistance provided by Find, Feed & Restore helped her navigate difficult circumstances and build a brighter future.

Bishop also introduced Larry Jaskowiak, owner of Community Collision of Leesburg, who spoke about the critical role transportation plays in achieving independence. Jaskowiak explained why his support of the organization helps provide reliable transportation opportunities that allow individuals and families to maintain employment, attend appointments, and continue moving forward toward self-sufficiency.

Find Feed and Restore

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The evening concluded with a heartfelt appeal from Find, Feed & Restore founders Brian and Allison Broadway, who shared the ongoing need for community support and investment in the organization’s mission. Find, Feed & Restore exists to help eliminate homelessness for families with children and individuals throughout Lake County. Guided by its mission of “Housing for All People, At All Times.”

 

The organization provides:

• Transitional housing for families with children, offering six to twelve months of low- or no-cost housing while participants work toward self-sufficiency.
• Permanent affordable housing solutions for working families.
• A mobile outreach unit that delivers hot meals, fresh food, housing assistance, and health screenings to underserved communities.
• Emergency assistance for families and individuals facing temporary hardships that place them at risk of losing their homes.

The need remains significant. Studies show that by age eight, approximately one-third of homeless children face serious mental health challenges. Locally, rising housing costs continue to impact vulnerable populations, including disabled veterans and single-parent households.

The Event may be over… but there is still time to make an impact.

If you weren’t able to attend  “The Battle For Hope” or if you were there and left wishing you could do more — you can still be part of the mission.

Every gift matters. Whether it’s $25, $100, $500, or more, your generosity can help provide a family with more than a roof over their head — it can provide hope and a pathway forward.

Click To Give:  GIVE

The post South Lake Chamber Claims Championship Belt at Sold-Out Battle for Hope appeared first on South Lake Tablet.

Joseph was a member of Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church in Clermont along with his wife, Patricia. He enjoyed gambling, especially poker and craps, and also enjoyed playing golf. He participated in The Villages Senior Games for two consecutive years and received a plaque recognizing a hole-in-one during one of his golf games.

Joseph is survived by his son, Thom Battisto and his domestic partner, Wayne Murphy; his adopted daughter, Laura Gordon Battisto; his brother, Louis Battisto; his granddaughters, JoAnn Corbett and her husband, Troy, and Kathy Krienheder and her husband, Brian; his grandsons, Michael Battisto, Stephen Battisto, and Bryan Battisto; and his great grandchildren, Collin Krienheder , Lili Corbett, and Hudson Corbett. In addition to his wife, Joseph was preceded in death by his adopted son, Larry Gordon Battisto.

Joseph will be remembered by his family and those who knew him for the life he shared with Patricia, his enjoyment of golf and games, and the many years he spent surrounded by family and friends.

(information furnished by Becker Funeral Home)

The post Joseph Battisto (December 11, 1931 – September 3, 2026) appeared first on South Lake Tablet.

The SLHS Eagles opened district play by shutting out Wekiva this past Friday, Sept 25 scoring 34-0 at Eagle stadium. The Eagle offense had over 450 yards on the offensive side of the ball and multiple players had strong defensive performances keeping the Mustangs out of the South Lake end zone. Tre Kelly had a very strong performance rushing for 107 yards  and two touchdowns   passing for 148 yards and a touchdown. Sam Wood also had a big night rushing for two touchdowns and 126 yards. Cody Mason would score on a 60 yard touchdown pass from Kelly as well.

The Defensive line had their way most of the night with strong performances from Quoy Nelson, Anthony Johnson, Shamar Murray, and Brian Bedingfield. The Four along with Ronnie Rousse raised havoc in the Wekiva backfield all night long. Ahvioume Scott also had 7 tackles and an interception leading the Eagle secondary.

“We are halfway through the season and need to clean up our penalties. The players played hard and had a strong week of practice. We are 1-0 in the district so we took step one. We have a very talented Boca Ciega team coming in this week that we need to play well against before our next District game on 10/10 at Evans.  We want to thank our community for all of the support we are getting“

Date of Next opponent: October 2  Boca Ciega Home 7 pm

CONGRATULATIONS COACH LORD AND THE SLHS TEAM!

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The required testing has been completed, and the water has been confirmed safe for normal use.

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 On Wednesday, September 16, the first pep rally of the school year brought students and faculty together for an afternoon of music, games, friendly competition, and plenty of school spirit. 

 Sponsored by the Arts and Athletics Leadership Committee (AALC), the decades-themed rally celebrated Montverde Academy’s Golf, Swim, Cross Country, Tennis and Indoor Volleyball teams, giving students the opportunity to cheer on their fellow Eagles as they prepare for their seasons. 

 For AALC president Madison Casaburi, bringing the event to life was a team effort that came with plenty of excitement. 

 “Organizing the pep rally is always a whirlwind of emotions! Myself and the entirety of AALC put in so much time to create an event that puts a smile on everyone’s face. There is a lot of pressure to set the tone for the school year and get out new members acclimated, but the first pep rally of the year was a blast; and I can’t wait to get started planning the next!” 

 The energy continued with a lineup of games and challenges that had the crowd cheering. Students took on a Limbo competition and a lively relay that brought laughs and competitive spirit to the event. 

 The excitement reached another level during a rap battle between teachers and students, delivering one of the rally’s most entertaining moments and giving both sides a chance to show off their creativity and confidence. 

 One of the afternoon’s highlights was a “Just Dance” competition between teachers and students. While both groups brought their best moves, the teachers ultimately claimed the win, proving they could still hold their own on the dance floor. 

 This pep rally was a celebration of what makes the Montverde Academy community special: coming together, supporting one another and bringing the spirit. With the school year officially underway, the Eagles have already set the tone for a season full of energy, pride, and lots of reasons to cheer. 

The post Starting the School Year at Montverde Academy with Spirit Through the Decades  appeared first on South Lake Tablet.