The South Lake Tablet is your go-to source for news and stories that matter to the South Lake County community. Our coverage spans the vibrant areas of Clermont, Groveland, Mascotte, Minneola, and Montverde. We pride ourselves on spotlighting businesses, residents, and organizations that impact our community significantly. From historical insights to current events and future developments, we are committed to keeping you informed and connected.

Our Legacy The Delaney family has been part of the business community since moving to Clermont in 1973; first opening 2 Sons Cleaners and in 1987, Bill Delaney founded Buena Vista Publishing. After working for Disney  for close to 30 years,  Michelle retired in 2017. and purchased the South Lake Tablet..

The Delaneys and the South Lake Tablet have since grown alongside South Lake, and are proud to document its rich history, present achievements, and promising future.  Bill Delaney is the founder and owner of Buena Vista Publishing; Michael is the BVP General Manager and publisher of the SLT.  

Patrick, the youngest, is the BVP/SLT graphic designer and Michelle is the owner and editor-in-chief of the South Lake Tablet.  Stephen, the eldest son is a Colorado firefighter and owner of  “Ruff Dogs”, a doggie daycare, overnight boarding, grooming and training facility.

Meet the SLT Journalist and Historian – Chuck Seaver brings the community to life with his engaging accounts of Then and Now,  local organizations and businesses that shape the heart of South Lake. He also provides updates to the business directory.

Connect with the South Lake Tablet and the Community:  

• Spread the News and What’s Happening in South Lake – If you hear of a new business opening in South Lake, let us know.  Also, submit news articles and photos to news@sltablet.com.  
• Subscribe for Free: Don’t miss out. Sign up for your free subscription by clicking on FREE SUBSCRIPTION
• Community Events: Share your events with the entire community by adding them to the SLT Calendar of Events.  Visit the website to submit your event details at EVENTS.
• Business Directory: Find your favorite local businesses in the directory. Submit your business listing by including business name and contact information.  Submissions are FREE. Just let us know if you’d like to be included. CALL 352-241-8900
• Advertising Opportunities: Contact Michael or Bill Delaney at 352-241-8900 to discuss advertising options.
• Visit our website at https://sltablet.com. Like Us on Facebook: Read us on X

Join Us in Celebrating South Lake:  At the South Lake Tablet, we believe in celebrating the past, present, and future of our community. Join us in sharing stories, supporting local businesses, and building a stronger, more connected South Lake Community.

Thank you for being part of our journey. We look forward to growing with you!

The post Welcome To The South Lake Tablet. Be Part Of Our Journey appeared first on South Lake Tablet.

Providing news and awareness is what we do, but to do that, we need your assistance.

Share the news: Everyone is welcome to submit local events, articles, features and photos to news@SLtablet.com. 

Become Part of the Team

• • • •  Advertising Sales Rep.  – If you are a team player with sales experience, possessing the ability to develop and maintain strong working relationships with the South Lake Tablet Team, clients, and advertisers, this may be the job for you. 
    •  
      • Database coordinator – A part-time position inputting our client information into the database. 

Advertise to all of South Lake County and Beyond: Call 352-241-8900 to advertise and market your businesses. The South Lake Tablet Business Directory is FREE to all businesses.  Upgrades are available for a small fee.

The news is published and spread 24/7.  

Like and Follow us on Facebook; Read us on https://sltablet.com;  Enjoy local events by clicking on “Calendar”. 

The SOUTH LAKE TABLET supports all local charitable and service organizations. Email upcoming events and news to news@sltablet.com. 

The post Help Bring The News to The Community Through The South Lake Tablet appeared first on South Lake Tablet.

“Vote for South Lake Tablet As Best Digital/Print Media”

 

The South Lake Tablet provides local news, sports, events, and features to our readers. Our NewsTab is formatted to be easily read on an iPad, smartphone or any computer.  Subscriptions are FREE, all you need to do is go to https://sltablet.com and subscribe.

 

Everyone is welcome to submit local news, features and events to us. We’ll spread the news along with community pride. The Calendar of Events is available for organizations to submit events online. The South Lake Business Directory was developed to make it easier for the community to shop locally.  Just call and we’ll add or update your business in the directory. 

The post The South Lake Tablet Is Honored To Be Nominated As “Best Digital/Print Media” appeared first on South Lake Tablet.

Providing news and awareness is what we do, but to do that, we need your assistance. 

BECOME PART OF THE TEAM:

• The South Lake Tablet needs people with excellent communication skills and an interest in spreading the news.
  • • • Communications Professionals – If you are interested in meeting people, seeking out newsworthy information, and developing a story of interest for all to enjoy, this may be the job for you.
      •  Advertising Sales Rep.  – If you are a team player with sales experience, possessing the ability to develop and maintain strong working relationships with the South Lake Tablet Team, clients, and advertisers, this may be the job for you.
      • Database coordinator – A part-time position.

Call 352-241-8900 if you are interested in writing for or working with the Team at the TABLET.

Become an SLT Advocate!

Share the news: Everyone is welcome to submit local events, articles, features and photos to news@SLtablet.com. 

Advertise to all of South Lake County and Beyond: Call 352-241-8900 to advertise and market your businesses. An added feature: The South Lake Tablet Business Directory is FREE to all businesses.  Upgrades are available for a small fee.

The news is published and spread 24/7.  Like and Follow us on Facebook; Read us on https://sltablet.com;  Enjoy local events by clicking on “Calendar”. 

The SOUTH LAKE TABLET supports all local charitable organizations.  We are here to help you spread the news. Call 352-242-8900 or email news@sltablet.com. 

The post South Lake Tablet Brings Local News To The Community appeared first on South Lake Tablet.

Providing news and awareness is what we do, but to do that, we need your assistance. 

BECOME PART OF THE TEAM:

• The South Lake Tablet needs people with excellent communication skills and an interest in spreading the news.
  • • • Communications Professionals – If you are interested in meeting people, seeking out newsworthy information, and developing a story of interest for all to enjoy, this may be the job for you.
      •  Advertising Sales Rep.  – If you are a team player with sales experience, possessing the ability to develop and maintain strong working relationships with the South Lake Tablet Team, clients, and advertisers, this may be the job for you.

Call 352-241-8900 if you are interested in writing for or working with the Team at the TABLET.

Become an SLT Advocate!

Share the news: Everyone is welcome to submit local events, articles, features and photos to news@SLtablet.com. 

Advertise to all of South Lake County and Beyond: Call 352-241-8900 to advertise and market your businesses. An added feature: The South Lake Tablet Business Directory is FREE to all businesses.  Upgrades are available for a small fee.

The news is published and spread 24/7.  Like and Follow us on Facebook; Read us on https://sltablet.com;  Enjoy local events by clicking on “Calendar”. 

The SOUTH LAKE TABLET supports all local charitable organizations.  Contact us if you need to spread the news. 

The post Help The South Lake Tablet Spread The News appeared first on South Lake Tablet.

I am humbled by your vote but know the “Best Of”  should be shared with all the small business owners who struggle to make his/her business of value to the community.  Hats off to all of us!.  As small business owners, we are the business champions.

The South Lake Tablet is a family-owned business.  We moved to Clermont in 1973, a small town with a population of approximately 4,000. Since then, we have been small business owners and face the challenges that small businesses endure: long hours, lots of challenges and financial uncertainty.  Learn our story by visiting, THE TABLET

Acknowledge and support all local businesses. 

SHOP LOCAL, SHOP SMALL 

VISIT the SOUTH LAKE TABLET Business Directory.  Each of the “Best of South Lake” award businesses will show a special tag identifying them as award winners  If you are a business owner and not in the directory or need information changed, contact 352-241-8900.

Do you have news to share? Submit your local events, articles and photos to news@SLtablet.com.

Want to advertise to all our South Lake County readers?  Call 352-241-8900.

Like and Follow us on Facebook; Read us on https://sltablet.com;
Looking for things to do this weekend?  Click “Calendar”. You can submit your events on the Calendar’s submission form.

The post Thank You For Recognizing The South Lake Tablet As One Of Many “Best” of South Lake” appeared first on South Lake Tablet.

The post The South Lake Tablet Is Offering A Free Online Business Directory Available To Both Our Readers And Local Businesses appeared first on South Lake Tablet.

Carl Gordon, Special Projects and Sales – Originally from the Washington DC area, a graduate of the University of Maryland in Journalism and US History.  He has 45 years of retail and wholesale sales and management and business experience and has owned several businesses in Maryland, Georgia and Florida.  He has written for several publications including 4 years as a columnist for the Gwinnett Daily News (Atlanta) and free lance for the Montgomery Journal (Rockville, Maryland).  He is also very active in volunteer work for charities and political efforts. He is working on special projects including creating the upcoming Business Directory, advertising sales and spotlight and feature articles for the South Lake Tablet.

Larry Oskin, Head Feature Writer and Photographer is a professional writer and photographer for the South Lake Tablet. He is the President and owner of Marketing Solutions / Art Beautique, offering creative branding, strategic marketing, media relations
and professional photography services. Oskin is a respected commercial and fine art photographer, having shared his artwork in private art galleries and art museums across the USA. He is an active Board Member for the Clermont Downtown Partnership, the Florida Lakes Symphony Orchestra, Congregation Sinai and the Clermont Historic Society / Village.

Linda Charlton, Investigative/Feature writer is a professional musician with a lifelong flair for the written word. If she hadn’t gone into music as a profession, she probably would have become a research scientist, and it is that scientist mind that serves her well in any story that calls for investigative work. She likes doing stories that require digging — as well as simple stories where she can let the story tell itself.

Marty Proctor, Groveland/Mascotte News Writer is a long time resident on Lake Emma north of Groveland. His primary interests are the impact city and county government has on its residents, local growth management, local charitable groups, and, most importantly, sharing factual information. Marty covers Groveland, Mascotte and the surrounding areas for the Tablet. Marty has recently been elected to the Lake County Water Authority, District 1. CONGRATULATIONS MARTY!

Do you have news to share? Submit your local events, articles and photos to news@SLtablet.com.

Want to advertise to all of South Lake County?  Call Bill, Michael or Carl at 352-241-8900

Like and Follow us on Facebook; Read us on https://sltablet.com;
Looking for things to do this weekend?  Click “Calendar”. You can also submit your events on the Calendar’s submission form.

Learn our story by visiting THE TABLET

Thank you to our readers and advertisers.

The post The South Lake Tablet Is Kicking Off Shop Small Business Month By Launching A New Business Directory appeared first on South Lake Tablet.

On Being An Entrepreneur

I come from a long line of local entrepreneurs. In the late 1960s, my mother and sister opened The Burger Hut, one of the first local fast-food restaurants in Clermont. Sad to say, The Burger Hut enjoyed a successful run but struggled and closed once McDonald’s opened.

Before coming to Clermont, I worked for American Airlines in its Corporate office in Manhattan. On a good day, it took me between 1.5 and 2.5 hours to get from my hometown, Cambria Heights, to Manhattan (I could write a book on riding the subways and working in the city, but that’s for another story).

3 Sons Cleaner’s operating hours were  7 am – 10 pm, 7 days a week. Bill and I struggled to keep family and business balanced and I immediately formed a strong bond and empathy with other local, small business owners. My love for small business was recognized and I became the first woman “president” aka “director” of the “Clermont Chamber of Commerce” aka “South Lake Chamber of Commerce”. Women didn’t take or were accepted in many leadership roles in the 70′- 80s, it was not the norm.

We eventually sold 3 Sons Cleaners and both of us became Clermont Realtors (Rolling Hills Realty). I still have my Real Estate license though currently inactive. I worked for the South Lake Press (owner Ann/George Dupee); and at Clermont Elementary School (principal Sharon Powell), now Cypress Ridge Elementary. I was a Sunday school teacher and my husband was a Little League Coach for many, many years (Go Braves!). We have been very involved in the community. I need to say that I’ve been an active member of Beta Theta-Clermont, ESA for 41 years or my sisters will get upset.

When interest rates started to rise and the economy shaky,  I decided to get a temporary summer job at Walt Disney World Co. I GOT PIXIE DUSTED!  I worked in a magical WORLD for 29 years, leaving my beloved community daily. My husband opened Buena Vista Publishing, a family-owned publishing business in Orlando.  Neither of us worked in Clermont for years, though we remained active and supportive of our growing community.

The family decided to move Buena Vista Publishing to South Lake County, eventually finding a commercial building only 2 miles from our home.

Neither did I  plan to retire from Disney nor buy THE SOUTH LAKE TABLET; it just happened. I enjoyed the daily trip to and from Celebration; it was my time to wind down. But the constant road construction and traffic on Hwy 27 became increasingly difficult to endure. So, after 29 years at Walt Disney World Co., I impulsively retired, leaving behind a wealth of memories, and experience in Casting, Merchandise, Resorts, Public Affairs, Marketing and Minority/Women-Owned Business Development.

It took only a few days of retirement to question my decision to retire. I was bored or, perhaps, afraid I could become a TV junkie. The SOUTH LAKE TABLET was for sale.  After some discussion, I cashed in some of my retirement funds, and my new MAGIC was created.

Celebrating Successes

It has been an amazing journey for me so far, though I can’t say perfect. All small businesses whether family-owned, woman-owned, or minority-owned have their share of ups and downs. This pandemic has caused great stress and hardship. It’s during stressful times, I celebrate successes and plan future goals and dreams.

The first thing that always comes to mind when I think about the Tablet’s successes is the publication’s growth. I’ve watched the readership rapidly increase. I find it rewarding to bring current news on businesses, events, clubs, meetings to our readership and even more rewarding to know it’s being read!  When the pandemic hit, the TABLET created a COVID directory to help businesses easily communicate updated and ever-changing information with their customers. The TABLET also visited local small businesses and did articles and video highlights to help the businesses during the crisis.  As you might guess, after all these years, I haven’t lost my empathy and love of the small business community.

In addition to the TABLET’s mission and goals.

• The platform and format have continually been updated to facilitate easier use.
• It has an interactive calendar of events for our readers to input and use. We also ask for feedback and suggestions from all.
• Readership has increased from about 34,000 in 2016 to over 300,000 to date.
• We recently improved our advertising reach to assist businesses.
• MOST EXCITING –  We recently launched a Business Directory that covers all businesses in South Lake County for easy reference for locals and visitors.

Do you have news to share?  -Submit your local events, articles and photos to news@SLtablet.com.

Want to advertise to all of South Lake County? Many people are home and have lots of time to surf the internet.  Call Bill, Michael or Carl at 352-241-8900

Like and Follow us on Facebook; Read us on https://sltablet.com;
Looking for things to do this weekend?  Click “Calendar”. You can also submit your events on the Calendar’s submission form.

Thank you to our readers and advertisers.

The post The Business Spotlight Shines On The South Lake Tablet appeared first on South Lake Tablet.