Florida Lakes Symphony to hold final concerts of season
The Florida Lakes Symphony Orchestra will conclude its 2023-24 concert season with a spring celebration concert, led by famous conductor Shungo Morijama of Japan at 7:30 p.m. April 18 at the Unitarian Universalist Church, 1235 Mount Homer Road Eustis, and April 19 at the Church of the Messiah, 241 N. Main St., Winter Garden.
The concert will begin with “Far and Away” by John Williams, followed by “Bluebells of Scotland” by Leroy Anderson, “What a Wonderful World,” “Orange Blossom Special,” Twilight’s “A Thousand Years,” Ravel’s “Enchanted Garden” and Lakmé’s “Flower Duet.”
“La Vie en Rose” will be sung by Alexandra Vargas with a trumpet solo by Neal Webb, while Rimsky-Korsakov’s fantasy “Flight of the Bumblebee” with flute solo by Nicolas Real will be performed as well.
The second part of the program will feature “Waltz of the Flowers” by Johann Strauss Jr. and “Sakura,” the Japanese name for cherry blossoms, as well a segment from “Madame Butterfly” that will include a Japanese singer. A Japanese calligrapher will be in the lobby to illustrate the writing of names in Japanese script for the audience.
Konstantin Dimitrov on violin will present “Danse Russe” from Tschaikowsky’s Swan Lake Ballet. The concert will end with the “Polovetsian Dances” including the favorite melody of “Strangers in Paradise.”
Tickets are $42 in advance or $45 at the door. Student tickets are $15, with accompanying parents or teachers paying $25 per ticket.
Details and reservations: 352-343-0733.
Leesburg hosts Bassmaster Elite Series
The 2024 Lowrance Bassmaster Elite Series is taking place through April 14 on the Harris Chain of Lakes, with professional bass anglers taking off at 7 a.m. each day from Leesburg’s Ski Beach, 305 Lake Shore Drive, with weigh-ins at 3 p.m. Spectators are welcome.
An expo with exhibits, boat demonstrations and food trucks will open at noon April 13-14 at Ski Beach; its boat ramp and the ramp parking area will be closed during the tournament.
Also, the parking area at the Venetian Gardens ramp off Dixie Avenue is closed throughout the tournament. The ramp will be open for launching boats.
Vehicles and trailers must be parked in the Canal Street ballfield area, across the street from Venetian Gardens.
The tournament will be livestreamed daily on Bassmaster.com and coverage will be available on FS1 April 13-14. The Elite Series last stopped in Leesburg in February 2022.
Details: bassmaster.com.
Mount Dora celebrates Earth Day
The City of Mount Dora, in partnership with the Mount Dora Friends of the Environment, will host its 29th Annual Earth Day Mount Dora from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. April 13 in Donnelly Park, 530 N. Donnelly St.
The event will begin with a demonstration from the Round Lake Charter School Drum Line and will feature over 30 exhibitors, all with themes and exhibits that will provide earth-friendly education services or products.
A sidewalk chalk art contest will also take place from 10 a.m. to noon and is open to children and adults. Classes on composting and how to prune/trim landscaping, as well as a workshop on “Best Trees to Plant in your Central Florida Yard” provided by certified arborist Johnny Turvin will take place inside the Donnelly Park Building.
As an international event, Earth Day is observed in over 190 countries and is the Earth’s largest celebrated event world-wide. This year’s international theme of Earth Day is “Plastics vs. Planet.”
Proceeds from the event go to the Urban Forest Tree Fund for the City of Mount Dora. Admission is free and open to the public.
Details: 352-735-7110.
Church hosts afternoon spring concert
Celebrate Spring with an afternoon of music at 4 p.m. April 14 at First Presbyterian Church of Mount Dora, 222 W. 6th Ave. The concert will feature the church’s Chancel Choir, Jubilate Handbell Choir, soloists and pianist Randy Frieling. Admission is free and open to the public.
Details: fpcmtdora.org.
Library offers programs on pest management, Florida waterways, self-defense
The Umatilla Public Library, 412 Hatfield Drive, offers several programs:
— A Master Gardener will give a lecture on “Garden Pests and Management” at 2 p.m. April 15. Participants learn how to keep plants and gardens healthy and lawns looking attractive by applying an integrated pest management system. Pre-registration is requested.
— A staff member of the Lake County Water Authority will lead a program on Florida waterways and water quality management at 2 p.m. April 16. The importance of protecting the area’s water quality and resources, where it comes from and where it goes will be discussed. An interactive table model will help visualize the topics.
— An adult and seniors self-defense class, taught by retired Lake County Sheriff Deputy Lt. Cliff Matthews, will take place at 10 a.m. April 22. Students learn how to stay safe and defend themselves. The class is free and open to the public.
Details: 352-669-3284.
Fundraiser offers bingo, dinner in Eustis
First Presbyterian Church of Eustis will host an evening of bingo and dinner at 6 p.m. April 17 in its fellowship hall, 117 S. Center St.
The meal will include hamburgers and hot dogs with baked beans, French fries and cupcakes. The cost is $20 per person, and includes a reusable bingo card. Children 12 and under eat free. Additional bingo cards and cards for children are $10 each. Prizes will be given away.
All proceeds will go to the church’s children’s ministries. Space is limited and reservations are due by April 15.
Details and reservations: 352-357-2833.
Learn about ‘Wild Florida’ at trails meeting
The Highlanders Chapter of the Florida Trail Association will meet at 5:30 p.m. April 18, at the Leesburg Public Library, 100 E. Main St. Author, photographer, and conservationist Kirsten Hines will share her images and adventures in “Wild Florida,” showcasing its resident critters from the Panhandle to the Central Florida scrub down to the Keys.
Donations of aluminum cans in non-dripping bags will be collected. The public is welcome to attend.
Details: 352-787-8654 or bobbiszoo@yahoo.com.
Annual Leesburg Bikefest is April 26-28
Thousands of loud and proud motorcycle enthusiasts will roar into Lake County for the 27th Annual Leesburg Bikefest April 26-28 along Main Street in downtown Leesburg. The yearly festival, one of the largest motorcycle and concert events in the United States, will feature an array of vendors offering custom bikes to accessories, food trucks, free concerts and stunt shows.
This year’s entertainment lineup includes national headliners country duo LOCASH, rock band Sugar Ray and singer-songwriter Austin Snell, along with more than 20 local bands.
Details and tickets: LeesburgBikefest.com.
Lady Lake launches redesigned website
The Town of Lady Lake has launched its new redesigned website, ladylakefl.gov, representing a significant step forward in bolstering community engagement and providing seamless access to services and information. The adoption of the .gov domain underscores the town’s commitment to security, reassuring residents that the website serves as the official outlet for municipal business.
Designed with user convenience in mind, the website streamlines navigation, reducing complexity and ensuring a personalized browsing experience and includes a new Lady Lake Police Department page with comprehensive information about its divisions, services and ongoing recruitment efforts.
Key features of the revamped website include:
— Agendas and minutes, easily accessible with the option to subscribe via email
— Comprehensive calendar with information on library and parks events
— Police, town and emergency alerts
— Online bill payment
To ensure a seamless transition, visitors are encouraged to bookmark the new URL, ladylakefl.gov, and share feedback or suggestions via email at hello@ladylake.org.
United Way seeks community investment team volunteers
United Way of Lake and Sumter Counties is in search of volunteers to participate on its community investment team, which makes important recommendations to its leadership about its partnering agencies and the funding they receive from UWLS.
UWLS has 27 partner agencies that have a mission aligning with one of UWLS’ three focus areas of economic mobility, health or education. UWLS invests in each partner agency with a grant each year for two years.
This October, the two-year cycle starts over, and the CIT is needed to review partner agencies and make funding recommendations. In 2023, UWLS invested $144,556 in its partner agencies and impacted around 55,000 individuals in Lake and Sumter Counties as a result.
To volunteer, go to uwls.org/volunteer and fill out the volunteer form.
Details: 352-787-7530 ext. 240 or thurge@uwls.org.
Wreaths Across America mobile exhibit coming to Lady Lake
Wreaths Across America’s Mobile Education Exhibit, which unites local communities, veterans, active-duty military and their families through interactive displays, short films, and shared stories, is on its national tour and will make a stop from 11:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. April 23 at Mission BBQ, 631 U.S. Highway 27, Lady Lake.
The exhibit serves as a mobile museum, educating visitors about the service and sacrifice of the nation’s heroes. Through a partnership with the United States of America Vietnam War Commemoration, it also serves as an official Welcome Home location for the nation’s Vietnam veterans.
Representatives and volunteers from Wreaths Across America will be on hand to speak with the public about the exhibit. Admission is free and open to the public.
Details: wreathsacrossamerica.org/About/MobileEducationExhibit.
Native plant sale set at Mount Dora library
The Lake Beautyberry Chapter of the Florida Native Plant Society will have a native plant sale featuring wildflowers, vines, grasses, ground covers, and shrubs from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. April 13 at the W.T. Bland Public Library, 1995 N. Donnelly St., Mount Dora.
Plant experts will be on hand to guide buyers on what plants to purchase based on interest and locale. The sale is open to the public.
Details: Neta at 321 578-0671.
Nature center hosts reptile program on Sunday Funday
Trout Lake Nature Center, 520 E. County Road 44, Eustis, will host its monthly Sunday Funday from 1 to 3 p.m. April 14, with a focus on reptiles.
The program will feature live snakes, turtles, alligators, lizards and other reptiles, along with information about native and non-native species. Experts from the Orianne Center for Indigo Conservation, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission and the Lake County Water Authority will have exhibits and be available to answer questions.
Entry fee is $5 per vehicle, but Trout Lake members get in free.
Details: 352-357-7536.
— The nature center’s monthly Friday Night Naturalist program will take place at 6:30 p.m. April 19 with a focus on Florida’s 175 award-winning state parks.
Don Philpott, an award-winning writer and Florida state park volunteer who has notched more than 32,000 volunteer hours over the last 30 years, will lead the program. Philpott is also a Florida master naturalist instructor, Florida master gardener and a certified interpretive guide.
He recently co-authored :”he Amazing Story of the Lost Town of Ethel,” which will be available for purchase. The program is free and open to the public.
Entry fee is $5 per vehicle, but members get in free.
Details: troutlakenaturecenter.com.
Christian Women’s Connection holds monthly luncheon
The Leesburg/Tri-Cities Christian Women’s Connection will have its monthly luncheon from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. April 18 at the Chesapeake Bay Grille, 4467 Arlington Ridge Blvd., Leesburg.
Slated guest speaker Kay Newsome will talk about “When Life Goes Dim, Can Hope Still Survive?” Attendees are encouraged to wear or bring a special outfit, piece of jewelry or hat and share the reason why it’s special.
The luncheon costs $20 per person and reservations are requested by April 14.
Details and reservations: Barb at 607-434-8310.
United Way seeks help during National Volunteer Week
United Way of Lake and Sumter Counties has four community projects lined up for National Volunteer Week April 21-27 and is seeking area residents as well as community organizations and local businesses to help them complete the task.
The four projects include a home build for Habitat for Humanity Lake-Sumter, a food distribution day at the Neighborhood Center of South Lake, helping at the Combat Veterans to Careers thrift store and another soon to be announced.
Habitat and the Neighborhood Center will be on April 23 and Combat Veterans to Careers and the fourth project will be April 25.
Local business owners and community leaders are encouraged to organize groups of volunteers to join the Volunteer Week effort.
Details and registration: uwls.org/volunteer or Juana at 352-787-7530.
Details about project team assignment, times and location will take place after registration is completed.
Lake juniors, seniors can attend free career/college expo
Lake County Schools, in partnership with local businesses and organizations, will host a free career and college expos for north Lake County juniors and seniors from 9:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. April 15 at the Venetian Center, 1 Dozier Circle, Leesburg.
Students will be able to interact with local hiring companies and learn about jobs available now and in the future. Job applications may be taken at both sites.
Students can sign up through their school guidance office. Lunch and transportation will be provided. The event is open to all public-school students, whether they are seeking higher education or planning to start their career directly after high school.
Details: lake.k12.fl.us.
Learn to become a family historian at genealogical classes
The Pastfinders of South Lake County Genealogical Society is offering free Beginner/Intermediate Genealogy classes from 1 to 3 p.m. April 17 and May 1 at the Cooper Memorial Library, 2525 Oakley Seaver Drive, Clermont.
The classes will include information on how to navigate family history, use of research websites and software, vital records, census basics, avoiding errors, obituaries, government website sources and more.
Details and registration: pastfindersslc.org.
East Lake Mini Library holds annual poetry contest
In honor of April’s designation as National Poetry Month, the East Lake Mini Library is sponsoring its 22nd annual poetry contest and is accepting entries through April 30.
The contest has three age groups: Children up to 12 years old; teen, ages 13-17; and adult, ages 18-up.
To qualify, entries must include the title of the poem, be typed and fit on one letter-size page. Hard copies should have the name and age group on the back of the poem only. There is a limit of 10 poems per person.
Gift certificates to Book-A-Million will be awarded to the top three winners in each age group. Winners will be announced and posted online a few weeks after the contest closes. Entries can be submitted online, by email or in person.
Details and entry forms: mylakelibrary.org/poetry_contest.
Mount Dora church hosts watercolor exhibit
First Presbyterian Church of Mount Dora hosts an exhibit of paintings by watercolor artist Nancy Staffieri from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. through May at the church’s multipurpose room, 222 W. Sixth Ave.
A former resident of eastern Pennsylvania, Staffieri renewed her interest in painting after moving to Mount Dora. She has taken lessons from area artists and utilized used books and photographs as inspiration.
Admission is free and open to the public.
Details: 352-383-4089.
Mixed tennis doubles in Mount Dora
Area tennis players are welcome to join in mixed doubles tennis from 8 to 10 a.m. Mondays, Wednesdays and Friday through April at the Lincoln Avenue Community Park tennis courts, 1200 N. Unser St., Mount Dora. The cost is $5 per month.
Details: Dennis at 207-289-8841.
To submit events
To submit a community event for online publication, email information at least two weeks before the event to lake@orlandosentinel.com.
