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by Mary Helen Myers, Tuscanooga Baptist Church

Recently, Tuscanooga Baptist Church honored 13 of its 15 graduates during a special morning service. Unfortunately, two graduates were unable to attend. Pastor Casey Ferguson presented each graduate with a new study Bible, shared details about their future plans, and offered prayers for their continued success and future endeavors.

Those recognized during the service included:

Pictured Front Row:

Abby Kruse graduated from the University of Florida with a Bachelor of Science degree in Journalism. She plans to pursue a career in journalism and communications.

Madalyn Myers, a graduate of The First Academy, will begin classes this fall at Florida State University, where she plans to study Pre-Med Biology.

Jonathan Michael McClinsey recently completed his studies at Lake-Sumter State College. He plans to attend University of Central Florida to pursue a Bachelor of Science degree in Astronautical Engineering.

Mia Johnston recently graduated from South Lake High School. She plans to attend Lake-Sumter State College with an interest in respiratory therapy.

Kerrie Lane earned her diploma from South Sumter High School and plans to attend Lake Technical College to study cosmetology.

Jewly Kling recently graduated from South Lake High School and will attend Lake-Sumter State College to pursue a future in architecture. (Featured picture) 

Pictured Back Row:

Lydia Moore, a recent graduate of South Sumter High School, also earned her Associate of Arts degree from Lake-Sumter State College. She plans to continue her education at a four-year university to pursue a business degree.

Scott Elliott Reagan received his diploma from South Lake High School. He plans to attend Lake-Sumter State Collegewhile also attending line worker boot camp.

Lucas Parks graduated from South Sumter High School and plans to attend Saint Leo University to study Criminal Justice and Homeland Security. He also plans to continue playing soccer for the university.

Hunter Abear recently graduated from Lake Minneola High School. He plans to attend Lake-Sumter State College before continuing to trade school with hopes of becoming an electrical engineer.

Ciera Flynn, a graduate of South Lake High School, will continue her education at Saint Leo University, majoring in Nursing.

Madison Moseley earned both her high school diploma from Lake Minneola High School and her Associate of Arts degree from Lake-Sumter State College. She plans to attend Florida State University to pursue a degree in Psychology.

Patrick Gibson, a devoted family man, returned to complete his education and earned his GED. He also serves as the Music Director for Tuscanooga Baptist Church and is a recording artist.

Graduates Not Pictured:

Ashton Leigh Clark was unable to attend the service as she was participating in her graduation ceremony at Widener University Commonwealth Law School, where she earned her Juris Doctor degree. She will begin her career as an Associate Attorney with Bowen Schroth Law Firm.

Madelyn Louise Dykes graduated from South Lake High School and plans to attend cosmetology school to become a hairstylist.

Congratulations to the 2026 graduates!!

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Since the late 1980s, the Kiwanis Club of Clermont has honored the patriotics laid to rest at Oak Hill Cemetery by placing a United States flag at each gravesite. What began as a small community gesture has grown into one of South Lake County’s most treasured patriotic traditions.

On the morning of Saturday, May 23, Clermont residents Chuck Seaver and Greg Amann joined fellow club members, Key Club students, and community volunteers at Oak Hill Cemetery to continue the heartfelt mission. 

Today, 561 known gravesites were recognized. 

A lifelong Clermont resident, Seaver has spent years overseeing the labor-intensive effort of identifying gravesites, maintaining records, organizing volunteers, and ensuring every flag is respectfully placed. He often refers to the project as his “labor of love.”

According to Seaver, the tradition began more than 40 years ago when his grandfather, Oakley Seaver, and great-aunt, Nelle Seaver, walked the cemetery grounds themselves, carefully locating and documenting the graves of veterans. Together, they created the original cemetery map still used as the foundation for today’s flag placements.

As the project expanded over the years, Oakley Seaver — himself a Clermont Kiwanian — asked the Kiwanis Club to carry the tradition forward.

In 2018, the tribute grew once again when the club began recognizing first responders in addition to military veterans, honoring the men and women who dedicated their lives to protecting the community.

Placing more than 560 flags throughout Oak Hill Cemetery is no small undertaking. Throughout the year, Seaver continuously updates the database, verifies gravesites, and coordinates volunteers to ensure no hero is overlooked. During the weeks surrounding Memorial Day and Veterans Day, he is often seen walking the cemetery grounds, checking that every flag remains standing proudly.

This Memorial Day, the flags will remain displayed through May 30, creating a peaceful and patriotic atmosphere throughout the historic cemetery. Residents are encouraged to take a quiet drive or walk through Oak Hill Cemetery and reflect on the sacrifices made by the brave men and women who served both country and community.

The Kiwanis Club also extended its appreciation to the many volunteers who helped place the flags this year, including students from South Lake High School, First Academy-Leesburg, and Real Life Christian Academy.

Special thanks were also given to the City of Clermont for its continued support of the decades-old tradition.

Memorial Day, originally known as Decoration Day, began in the years following the Civil War and officially became a federal holiday in 1971. Observed on the last Monday in May, the holiday honors the men and women who died while serving in the United States military.

Community members who believe a loved one may have been unintentionally omitted from the cemetery maps are encouraged to contact the Kiwanis Club so the records can continue to be updated and preserved for future generations.

Oak Hill Cemetery is located on East Avenue, directly off Highway 50 in Clermont. This week, as hundreds of American flags wave gently in the breeze, visitors are invited to pause, remember, and honor the heroes whose legacy continues to live on through this enduring Clermont tradition.

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Frank Klum Sr., a WWII Veteran and Clermont resident before his death at the age of 101 in 2024, left his legacy in many ways not only in Clermont, but everywhere he went. Frank was a man of deep honor and loyalty to family, friends and country, so there was no hesitation among the Klum family when an idea of keeping Frank’s memory in the present came up for discussion.

Born on January 24,1923, Frank enlisted in the Army Air Corps on December 9, 1941, just days from his 18^th birthday, and two days after the attack on Pearl Harbor. He served with distinction in the 12^th Air Force during WWII. Before retiring as a Master Sergeant, Frank witnessed action in Corsica, Italy, North Africa and Sicily.

During Frank’s military service, he earned the Bronze Star, Good Conduct Medal, the Presidential Unit Citation and the American Defense Service Medal. After the war, Frank continued to serve in the military until 1962 before serving a 20-year career in the United States Postal Service.

Frank’s memory remains in the smiles of those who knew him, especially on their birthdays. If Frank knew you, you could count on a phone call every year from him on your birthday. He normally would not say anything when you answered the phone but seconds later, you would be entertained by Frank’s live performance of “Happy Birthday to You” melody being played from Frank’s trumpet.

After retirement, Frank remained an active member of the Veteran’s of Foreign Wars Clermont Post 5277 and the Kiwanis Club of Clermont until his death. Frank’s infamous smile and willingness to help anyone with anything became well known among the many friends that he volunteered community service time with. Several traditions and programs that Frank instituted remain active today. But the Klum family had an idea that would allow his memory to not only be visible to everyone but would also be a place of rest for those strolling by during their walking journeys in Historical Downtown Clermont.

The idea of a park bench in Frank’s memory was borne. It’s a project that would lead to reality after careful planning and fundraising. The family raised the $1,500.00 needed to purchase and create the printed design on the bench. With the help of City of Clermont Mayor Tim Murry, the bench was installed on Eighth Street, just North of Osceola Street. A perfect place for a quick rest after walking partway up the steep hill from Osceola Street to Minneola Avenue. “We cannot thank Mayor Murry enough for helping get the bench installed. We had no idea who to turn to in the city to help us. Dad and Tim served together in the VFW Post for many years,” says Frank Klum Jr., Klum Sr’s son.

The design on the bench was created by Frank Sr’s granddaughter, Jonelle Kiselich and is in front of Broadway Pet Grooming Spa at 524 Eighth Street. The business is owned by Frank’s daughter, Cathy Lund and her daughter, Brandi Lund-Armstrong. “Cathy had tears in her eyes when she saw the bench for the first time. It is such a wonderful reminder of such a wonderful man. A man that can still provide a spot for a little rest and peace while enjoying their day,” says Frank Jr.

Downtown Clermont offers a variety of benches strategically placed along its scenic lakefront and walkway areas throughout the downtown area. These benches provide comfortable seating for visitors, enhancing the overall charm and atmosphere of the area.

Visit www.ClermontDowntown.com for more information.

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The Florida Department of Health in Lake County (DOH-Lake) promotes National Water Safety Month, observed each May, to educate the community on drowning prevention and how to safely enjoy the state’s many lakes, rivers, beaches, and pools. 

Water safety is everyone’s responsibility. Whether you are a parent, caregiver, neighbor, or community group member, everyone plays a role in drowning prevention. Data shows that children ages 1-4 are most likely to drown in a home swimming pool. Children ages 5 and older are more likely to drown in natural bodies of water.

DOH-Lake highlights the importance of following the water safety tips below. 

Water Safety Tips

• Always keep your eyes on children in and around water, including bathtubs, pools, and open bodies of water.
• Never leave a child alone around water.
• If your child is missing, check pools and surrounding bodies of water.
• Use barriers to prevent children from entering bodies of water, such as fences, self-closing/self-latching gates, and secure doors with alarms.
• Have a phone nearby in case you need to call 9-1-1 in an emergency.
• Avoid swimming in a body of water with an open cut or wound. If there’s bacteria in the water, it can enter the body through a cut or wound.
• If a cut or wound happens when in the water, it should be washed with clean, running water and soap and covered with a clean, dry, bandage.

Beach and Lake Swimming

Swimming in open water is different than swimming in a pool. Even the strongest swimmer can get into trouble swimming in open water. Follow these tips when swimming at the beach or lake:

• Swim It: Always swim with a buddy, and when safety flags and signs give it the all-clear to do so. 
• Shore It: If you have a weakened immune system, a cut on your skin, or don’t have a buddy to swim with, stay on dry land. 
• Dodge It: If you encounter animals that live near or in the water, stay away. Also, do not drink, swim, wade, use personal watercrafts, or come into contact with waters where there are visible algal blooms like red tide and blue-green algae. For current information on red tide or blue-green algae, please visitProtecting Florida Together or the Florida Department of Environmental Protection’s Algal Bloom Dashboard.

For more information, contact DOH-Lake at 352-253-6130.

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The Annual Comprehensive Financial Report (ACFR) provides an in-depth, detailed look at the sources and uses of county funds, including property, sales, and gas taxes; intergovernmental revenues; and various user fees that finance operations, as well as the expenses of governmental activities.

The document offers citizens an opportunity to see the financial implications of providing services such as fire protection and law enforcement; civil emergency services; construction and maintenance of highways, streets, and other infrastructure; economic development incentives; social and human services; and cultural and recreational services.

The Popular Annual Financial Report (PAFR) is a separate document that provides a summarized version of the ACFR.

“Because the ACFR consists of over 200 pages of detailed financial statements, notes, schedules, and reports, it is important that we also provide the information in a simplified format,” said Gary Cooney, Lake County Clerk of the Circuit Court and Comptroller. “The PAFR presents the county’s fiscal year 2024-2025 financial activity in a way that is easier to read and understand.”

Both reports are available online on the Lake County Clerk’s website atwww.LakeCountyClerkFL.gov/Financials. They are also available by contacting the Clerk’s Finance Department at 352-343-9808.

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