All offices of the Lake County Clerk of the Circuit Court & Comptroller will be closed on Wednesday, Nov. 11, in observance of Veterans Day.

The closure includes the Lake County Courthouse, 550 W. Main St., Tavares; the Records Storage Facility, 313 S. Bloxham Ave., Tavares; Clerk and County Finance, 315 W. Main St., Tavares; the South Lake Branch Office, 290 Citrus Tower Blvd., Suite 116, Clermont; and the North Lake Branch Office, 902 Avenida Central, The Villages.

To make an online payment for most fees and fines owed for traffic and criminal cases, visitwww.LakeCountyClerkFL.gov/CLERKPay. Payments by phone will be unavailable on Wednesday, Nov. 11. Normal operating hours for payments by phone are from 8 am to 8 pm, Monday through Friday, or from 10 am to 2 pm, Saturday and Sunday, by calling (352) 608-3008.

For those looking to make payments by check or money order, submit documents for recording, or deliver court documents for filing, the Clerk’s Office offers convenient drop-box locations for these services, which are available 24/7. Drop-boxes are located in the following three areas:

• Downtown Tavares (at the Library Services Administration Building)
  418 W. Alfred St., Tavares
  Pickup Time: 2:30 pm., Monday through Friday (excluding holidays)
• Leesburg (near the Lake County Tax Collector’s Office)
  1720 N. Citrus Blvd., Leesburg
  Pickup Time: 10:30 am., Monday through Friday (excluding holidays)
• Clermont (behind the Citrus Tower Village Publix Shopping Center)
  290 Citrus Tower Blvd., Suite 116, Clermont
  Pickup Time: 10:45 am, Monday through Friday (excluding holidays)

Items may also be mailed to the Lake County Clerk’s Office at P.O. Box 7800, Tavares, FL 32778. Please allow ample time for delivery and processing. For a list of available online services, visit www.LakeCountyClerkFL.gov/about-us/remote-services.

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Each year, Kiwanis Club of Clermont volunteers work hard to maintain, improve, install, and display the festive Christmas lights surrounding Center Lake, creating a magical holiday experience for residents and visitors alike.

But the impact of your sponsorship goes far beyond the holiday lights!

Your contribution helps support the Kiwanis Club’s many programs and community initiatives, including scholarships, Terrific Kids, Head Start Reading, Bringing Up Grades, and youth leadership programs such as Key Clubs, Builders Clubs, K-Kids, and Aktion Club. The club also honors local veterans by placing flags at their gravesites each Memorial Day and Veterans Day.

The Kiwanis Club of Clermont is dedicated to making a difference in the lives of children throughout South Lake County, one child and one community at a time.

Here’s how to help make the season brighter!

For just $200, your business or name will be recognized on a sponsor sign displayed throughout December.

Light Up Center Lake Celebration: Friday, December 4, 2026

Don’t miss this opportunity to spread some holiday cheer, promote your business, and invest in the future of our community!

Let’s light up Center Lake and make a difference together!

For sponsorship information or to become a sponsor, contact the Kiwanis Club of Clermont today!

Every light makes a difference, and every sponsor helps keep our community shining bright!

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Downtown Tavares will come alive with holiday cheer Saturday, Dec. 5,  for the annual Tavares Christmas Parade and Celebration. This year’s theme, “Christmas Past and Present,” celebrates the memories and traditions that make the season special.

• 5 pm: Festivities and entertainment begin in Wooton Park.
• 5 pm: Christmas Parade begins.
• 7 pm: Santa arrives in Wooton Park; visits with Santa begin.
• 9 pm: Event concludes.

• No overnight parking in Wooton Park.
• No overnight parking along Rockingham Avenue.

• 3 am: Rockingham Avenue closes between Ruby Street and Main Street.
• 3 am: Main Street closes between St. Clair Abrams Avenue and Sinclair Avenue.
• 4 pm: All streets along the parade route, including Main Street and connecting side roads, close. Ruby Street remains open to local traffic until the parade begins at 5 pm.
• Approximately 7 pm: Roads reopen following the parade, except for the sections listed below.
• Until 10 pm: Ruby Street remains closed between Rockingham Avenue and Main Street. Rockingham Avenue remains closed between Main Street and Ruby Street.

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The Lake County community is invited to join with members of the Leesburg Florida Stake in giving thanks through service. Our fifth Annual Day of Service and Community Blood Drive is scheduled for Saturday, November 14th, 9am to 3pm. This year there will be one location – the Stake Center at 2615 Waycross Ave, Eustis. We have moved this day into November to help with conflicts with other holiday events.

Adults, children and youth are invited to participate in a variety of service projects to support organizations within our stake boundaries. This year’s projects include:

• Making blankets and pillows for The Haven, which supports victims of domestic violence
• Table favors for special meals sponsored by The Salvation Army of Lake and Sumter Counties

• Tactile ornaments for the blind or sight impaired clients of New Vision for Independence (This charity is also one of the organizations selected for the 2026 Giving Machine)
• Food collections for Lake Cares Food Bank. Items recommended include soup, macaroni and cheese, spaghetti sauce and pasta. (other shelf-staple food items may be brought as well)

There will be displays by JustServe.org, Lake County Health Department and several of the organizations listed above.

In conjunction with the Day of Service, there will be a OneBlood Community Blood Drive where you can serve by giving blood. Donating the lifegiving gift of blood is a small way to follow Christ’s example of giving of self. Our goal is 100+ units!  The registration link to schedule a time is below:

https://donor.oneblood.org/donor/schedules/drive_schedule/1803504

Our Stake Day of Service and Community Blood Drive is a wonderful opportunity to give the gift of service and to invite your friends, neighbors, coworkers and others to join you in giving service.

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Congregation Sinai of Groveland, Florida, invites the entire South Lake community to join in a festive Chanukah celebration on Saturday, December 5, 2026, starting at 7 PM, at The Clermont Room, in the Clermont Arts & Recreation Center.

Chanukah is a time to celebrate the miracle of light, tradition, and the joy of coming together. Congregation Sinai welcomes families, neighbors, and friends of all Jewish backgrounds to share in this special celebration. This special evening promises to be filled with holiday spirit, delicious food, music, laughter, and friendship. Guests will enjoy delicious homemade latkes lovingly prepared and served by the women of Congregation Sinai. The Joe Goldovitz & Friends Band will be entertaining everyone with traditional Chanukah and Jewish holiday songs. An entertaining special Chanukah skit will feature members of our community who are busily rehearsing for the occasion.

Everyone is encouraged to please RSVP by Monday, November 30 for this event, so they can prepare enough homemade latkes. The room will be filled with Chanukah decorations, to create a fun and festive holiday atmosphere.

Chanukah 2026 will begin at sundown on Friday, December 4, 2026, and it will end at nightfall on Saturday, December 12, 2026.

Chanukah is an eight-day Jewish winter festival and celebration that is also known as the Festival of Lights to commemorate the rededication of the Second Temple in Jerusalem during the 2nd century BCE.

Each night is marked by families and groups lighting a Chanukah menorah together with a nine-branched candelabrum containing spaces for eight ceremonial lights plus one additional candle, the shámash or ‘attendant’, which is used to light the others. Aside from the shámash, one candle is lit on the first night, two on the second, and so on, until all eight are burning together on the final night. Common practices on Hanukkah include special Jewish prayers, singing Chanukah songs, and playing the game of dreidel while enjoying latkes and other foods, such as sufganiyot donuts.

Organized by Joyce Cohen, she says, “Come celebrate the Chanukah Festival of Lights with us!” Admission is only $18 per person, while children under 12 are free. Everyone coming is asked to please RSVP by November 15, so they can prepare enough homemade latkes for everyone!

Join Congregation Sinai!  Joe Goldovitz provides unique spiritual leadership. Congregation Sinai serves as a house of prayer and study in which the spectrum of Jewish expression is cultivated, protected and nurtured. With Jewish holiday celebrations throughout the year, educational programs for children, adult education, bible study groups and bar/bat mitzvah study; they strive to educate their members and our community in Judaism’s rich heritage with contemporary significance, while sharing Jewish culture, rituals, traditions and values. Interfaith families are welcome.

Observe all of the Jewish Holidays at Sinai! Celebrate with family and your Jewish friends, holidays and traditions. Congregation Sinai is located at: 1200 West Broad Street, Groveland, FL 34736. For more information, membership, reservations and tickets to their annual High Holiday services, Friday night Shabbat services, educational programs, Torah Study, special events and for how to log-in online for their services, contact: Congregation Sinai by mail at: 4327 South Highway 27, Box 315, Clermont, FL  34711. Phone 352-243-5353. Email info@congregation-sinai.org. Visit them at: www.congregation-sinai.org. and on Facebook at: https://www.facebook.com/groups/2022346804470513/?ref=bookmarks. Affordable High Holiday and Annual Memberships are available.

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This is not an ordinary gala! The evening’s fashion show will feature the incredible children, teens, and adults served by Central Florida Dreamplex as they take center stage on the runway, celebrating their confidence, individuality, and accomplishments.

From adaptive sports athletes to participants in therapy, education, recreation, and vocational programs, the fashion show will highlight the extraordinary individuals who make Dreamplex such a special organization.

Central Florida Dreamplex believes everyone deserves the opportunity to learn, grow, belong, and shine. Through community support and involvement, the organization continues to create meaningful opportunities for individuals with disabilities throughout Central Florida, helping them reach their full potential.

The 12th Annual Gala & Fashion Show will take place on Saturday, January 30, 2027, from 6 to 9:30 pm at the Ocoee Lakeshore Center in Ocoee.

Guests will enjoy an inspiring fashion show, dinner, exciting auction opportunities, and an evening dedicated to celebrating the abilities, achievements, and potential of the Dreamplex community.

Community members, businesses, and organizations are encouraged to attend, become event sponsors, or share the invitation with friends and colleagues. Every contribution helps Central Florida Dreamplex continue providing life-changing opportunities and services for individuals with disabilities.

To reserve a seat or learn more about sponsorship opportunities, visit: www.cfldreamplex.com/gala-2027

Join Central Florida Dreamplex on January 30 for an unforgettable evening celebrating inclusion, individuality, and the incredible possibilities that unfold when everyone is given the opportunity to shine!

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The sold-out event brought together more than 1,200 attendees for an evening filled with flavorful discoveries, networking, live entertainment and fun. More than 30 local restaurants served samples of some of their favorite dishes and beverages, while more than local businesses and organizations showcased their products, services and resources.

From savory appetizers and mouthwatering entrees to tempting desserts and refreshing beverages, there was something to satisfy just about every taste. Guests had the opportunity to sample offerings from area restaurants, meet local business owners, discover community resources and learn more about the many businesses that make South Lake County special.

Adding a little friendly competition to the festivities, attendees also voted for their favorite restaurant, food and business booths. The votes were counted, and this year’s winners earned bragging rights in several delicious and creative categories.

And the winners were:

Taste of South Lake Winners

1 of 7

Best Appetizer – Clermont Oyster Bar

Best Entree – Guru Indian Restaurant

Best Dessert – Nothing Bundt Cakes

Best Beverage – Suncreek Brewery and Distillery

Best Non-Alcholocia Beverage – Lake Technical College

Best Restaurant Booth – The View

PEOPLE’S CHOICE – Fumeo Table

Best Business Booth – RocketStar Expedition

The awards celebrated the creativity, quality and enthusiasm of the participating vendors, each of whom helped make the evening a memorable experience.

A Big Thank-You to All Participating Vendors

While the award winners took home special recognition, every participating restaurant, food vendor and business helped make the sold-out event a success. Their support, participation and contributions created an evening filled with great food, new connections and plenty of community fun.

Participating restaurants, food vendors and businesses included:

Amore Italian Restaurant, Bambuu Asian Eatery, Bucchus Vino Etcetera, BeatBox Beverages, Bojangles Restaurant, Cowboy Chicken, Culver’s, Clermont Oyster Bar, Fat Chef Authentic Jamaican Cuisine and Grocery, Fazoli’s, Fumeo Table, Guru Indian Restaurant, Just Love Coffee Cafe, Lake Technical College, Lakeridge Winery & Vineyards, McDonald’s, Nothing Bundt Cakes, Piesanos Stone Fired Pizza, Planet Smoothie, Portillo’s, Pour-N-Pix Event Rental, Root & Branch Bar & Bistro, SmallCakes of Clermont, South Lake Elks Lodge #1848, Suncreek Brewery, Texas Roadhouse, The Venue and The View Clermont.

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The MVA boys and girls cross country teams captured FHSAA district championships at Sand Hill Scout Reservation in Brooksville on Wednesday morning, bringing both programs back to the top of the district standings. The boys earned their first district title since 2021, while the girls claimed their first since 2020.

Leading the charge were two individual champions with different milestones to celebrate: Senior Will Mossfrom the boys team continued his championship run with a third consecutive district crown, while junior Lyla McMillen from the girls team raced to the first individual victory of her career.

McMillen’s Breakthrough Leads Girls to Championship

For McMillen, years of consistency produced a championship moment.

A steady presence in the Eagles’ lineup since middle school, McMillen crossed the finish line first among 77 runners in 19:54.30. Now an 11th grader, she adds an individual district championship to her MVA career while helping the Eagles finish first in the nine-team field.

McMillen had plenty of support near the front too. Amaris Munya finished third overall in 20:13.76, and Angelica Wolfe placed sixth in 21:36.50, giving MVA three runners among the top six.

Alafair Scelfo followed in ninth place at 22:14.55, while twin sister Alon Scelfo rounded out the Eagles’ five scorers with a 12th-place finish in 22:48.14. All five MVA scorers finished among the top 12.

Federica Perez finished close behind in 13th place at 22:50.48, and Nikita Verma placed 45th in 27:52.20.

Together, the Eagles delivered the program’s first district championship in six years.

Moss Makes It Three Straight as Boys Reclaim District Crown

Will Moss knows the way to the district championship finish line.

The defending district, regional and state champion won his third consecutive individual district title, leading the field of 92 runners in 16:10.09. His latest victory helped power MVA to first place among 11 teams and its first district championship in five years.

Torr Scelfo joined Moss near the front, finishing third overall in 17:47.37 to give the Eagles two of the race’s top three runners.

Nicoles Ardigo was MVA’s third finisher, placing 13th overall in 18:59.68. Jason Metzger followed in 24th place at 19:39.64, while Jared Bridgewater completed the Eagles’ scoring lineup with a 41st-place finish in 21:05.43.

The championship marked a return to the top for the boys program, with Moss’ individual three-peat highlighting a team effort that brought the district trophy back to MVA.

Next Stop: Regionals

With their district championships, both MVA teams earned automatic berths in the FHSAA regional championship meet on Saturday, November 14, at New Smyrna Beach High School in New Smyrna Beach.

The Eagles will head to regionals with two team titles, two individual champions and plenty of momentum.

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The South Lake Chamber of Commerce invites residents and visitors to attend the 15th Annual Taste of South Lake & Business Expo on Thursday, November 5, 2026, from 5:00 pm to 8:30 pm at Clermont Waterfront Park.

Recognized as one of South Lake County’s premier community events, Taste of South Lake brings together the area’s best restaurants, businesses and organizations for an exciting evening filled with delicious food, networking, entertainment and family-friendly fun.

Guests will enjoy the opportunity to sample mouthwatering dishes and beverages from more than 35 local restaurants, while discovering products, services and resources from more than 35 local businesses and organizations. From savory favorites and sweet treats to innovative local services and community resources, there will be something for everyone to enjoy.

The event will also feature live entertainment, interactive exhibits and friendly competitions, giving attendees the chance to vote for their favorite food vendors and exhibitors. Whether you’re a longtime resident or new to the area, Taste of South Lake is the perfect opportunity to connect with the businesses, entrepreneurs and organizations that help shape and strengthen the local community.

Event Details

What: 15th Annual Taste of South Lake & Business Expo
When: Thursday, November 5, 2026 | 5:00 pm– 8:30 pm
VIP Early Access: 4:30 pm
Where: Clermont Waterfront Park
Presented By: AdventHealth and Comcast Business

Tickets are available for $40 per person and can be purchased online at:

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/15th-annual-taste-of-south-lake-business-expo-tickets-1987919874859

The South Lake Chamber of Commerce encourages residents throughout the region to come hungry, bring friends and family, and enjoy an unforgettable evening celebrating the flavors, businesses and community connections that make South Lake County thrive.

For additional information, event details or media inquiries, contact the South Lake Chamber of Commerce at (352) 394-4191, reply to this email, or visit the Chamber’s website.

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The Eagles scored a major victory on senior night defeating South Sumter High school 24-20. It was a very physical game and the Eagles put together their best performance of the year dominating the line of scrimmage on both sides of the ball. The Raiders scored first after the Eagles did not convert on a 4^th down from their own 40 yard line early in the second quarter. The defense for the Eagles after that score really picked it up flipping field position and getting the Eagle offense back on the field at the end of the second quarter. Sam Wood would explode off the left side for a 17 yard touchdown run behind some great blocking from Mark Elder, Landon Coning, Andrew Carter and Brian Bedingfield. The half would end tied 7-7.

To start the third quarter Wood and Jaylen Parmley would have some big runs getting the Eagles inside the South Sumter forty yard line. Freshman quarterback Walker Motley would hook up with senior wide receiver Willie Dixon on a 35 yard touchdown pass giving the Eagles a 14-7 lead early in the third quarter.

The Eagle Defense would own the line of scrimmage in the third quarter constantly putting the Raiders behind the chains. Quoy Nelson, Anthony Johnson, Ronnie Rousse, Ky- mani Gardner, PJ Davis, and Jayden Kaley were constantly in the backfield in the Raider backfield. Tj Cummings, JD Lovelace, Ahvioume Scott, Joseph Robinson, Malcolm Jones, Sam Amarista , and Jariah Powe were securing the back end shutting down the Raider passing attack. The Eagles would score again midway in the third quarter on a 22 yard run by Parmley giving the Eagles a 21-7 lead. South Sumter would score narrowing the game to 21-14. The Eagle offense would have to punt and senior Zaide Nance hit a great one pinning the Raiders deep into their own territory as the third quarter winded down. South Sumter would then throw a pass on the next play and senior linebacker TJ Cummings would pick it off to end the third quarter setting the Eagles up inside the  South Sumter Red Zone. The Eagles offense would not get the first down and with three minutes left in the game Marcelo Velez- Cortes would come on and drill a 27 yard field goal to put the Eagles ahead 24-14 with 3:45 left to go. South Sumter was not finished as they drove the ball right down the field and scored with 45 seconds left on the clock aided by some costly penalties against the Eagles. The Raider extra point would fail and South Lake stayed ahead 24-20 with 38 seconds left in the game. South Sumter attempted an on side kick and senior Kyson Cleveland went up high and got the ball securing the Eagle victory.

“ I am so excited for this senior class and football team. We had the 8^th hardest schedule in the state this season. We had some big time season ending injuries to big time players that we had to overcome. Our student body watches films on resiliency at our school monthly. This team is resilient. The players could of quit when they went through some rough stretches but the players never did. They believed in one another. The players kept showing up to practice daily putting the work in. Our coaches kept showing up daily coaching our players up every practice. I am honored and blessed to witness how this Eagle Football team put it together for senior night beating a very good South Sumter Football Team.  Hard work pays off what a great night. These seniors have had a great run and have been a lot of fun to coach. “

Date of next opponent; TBA

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