Annual master gardener plant sale in Tavares
The Lake County Extension Office’s master gardener program will have its annual spring plant sale from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. March 29 at its Discovery Gardens, 1951 Woodlea Road, Tavares.
More than 3,000 plants will be available for purchase, including native species, butterfly and hummingbird attractants, edible plants and more. A mobile plant clinic, staffed by master gardeners, will also be on-site, along with a bookstore. Proceeds support Discovery Gardens and educational programs.
Details: Maria Bautista at 352-343-4101 or email mquiricobautista@ufl.edu.
Free kids fishing clinic
Lake County’s Office of Parks and Water Resources is sponsoring a free kids fishing clinic from 9 a.m. to noon April 12 at Hickory Point Recreational Complex, 27341 State Road 19, Tavares. The clinic, for kids ages 4-up, will teach participants about local waterways, conservation, and basic fishing skills.
The first 30 who sign up will have the opportunity to take home a free fishing pole and tackle box. Children must be accompanied by a chaperone. Lake County staff will be on-site to assist with baiting hooks, removing fish, species identification, and other environmental and educational components.
Details and signup: info@lcwa.org or 352- 253-4950.
Habitat and Youth Construction Academy to finish Spruce up the Block initiative
Habitat for Humanity of Lake-Sumter, along with students from Leesburg High School’s Youth Construction Academy and community volunteers, will complete landscaping projects and revitalization efforts for its Spruce up the Block initiative of Leesburg’s Woodland Park neighborhood from 8 to 11:30 a.m. March 29.
This year, students from the Construction Academy participated in the initiative, painting and doing minor exterior repairs and landscaping on a total of 15 homes in the neighborhood. Alongside Habitat Lake-Sumter, the program was spearheaded by neighborhood advocate, Leesburg City Commissioner Allyson Barry.
For the weeks-long project, Florida Paints donated more than 200 gallons of paint and provided on-site training for Construction Academy Students through its own Brighter Day initiative.
The Youth Construction Academy is a vocational program designed to provide experiential learning and introduce students to the field of construction. Students hone their skills three times a week on-site throughout the school year and graduate from the program with access to internships and employment.
Following the final work projects, a block party with food, entertainment, and festivities will take place from noon to 2 p.m. at Corrine Williams Park, 2141 Woodland Blvd. The public is welcome to attend.
Details: Habitatls.org.
Groveland Founder’s Day celebration
The City of Groveland will have its Founder’s Day celebration from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. March 29 at Lake David Park, 450 S. Lake Ave., featuring live music, a car show, Vietnam War Veterans Day Recognition, kids zone with bounce houses, water sports showcase, founding families, plus fish and grits. Singer Jason Michael Carroll will perform from 6:30 to 8 p.m.
Details: 352-910-3124 or Groveland-FL.gov/event.
Amazing Race for Charity is March 29 in Eustis
The Amazing Race for Charity 2025, a community-driven event benefiting 10 local charities and non-profits, is 8 a.m. March 29 at Ferran Park, 250 Ferran Park Drive, Eustis.
The event challenges participating teams to navigate a 4-to-6-mile course, featuring 15 unique obstacles while raising funds for worthy organizations. This year’s designated recipients included Habitat for Humanity of Lake-Sumter, Worth It Suicide Outreach and Support, Trout Lake Nature Center, Lake Cares Food Pantry, Education Foundation of Lake County, Hand in Hand Recovery, Episcopal Children’s Services, the Humane Society of Lake County, Companions for Courage, and LovExtension.
The City of Eustis recently became the annual fundraiser’s official host and organizer. The Amazing Race for Charity has raised more than $266,000 since its inception in 2014.
Details: Amazingraceforcharity.com.
Lenten soup and study
First Presbyterian Church of Mount Dora is hosting a soup and study during Lent called “Living with Grace” from 5:30 to 6 p.m. Wednesdays through April 16 in its Biery Fellowship Hall.
The next study is April 2. Homemade soup will be served and the church’s pastor, Dr. Brenda Loyal, will lead the discussion each week. The program is free and open to the public. The church is located at 222 W. Sixth Ave.
Details: 352-383-4089.
Dining with diabetes classes
Lake County Extension Agent Lori Johnson will lead a four-part series, Dining with Diabetes, at 1:30 p.m. April 1, 8, 15 and 22 at the Lake County Extension Office, 1951 Woodlea Road, Tavares.
Each educational class includes a lecture and hands-on cooking with samplings. The cost is $40 and space is limited.
Details and reservations: Lori Johson at 352-343-4101 or lorijohnson@ufl.edu.
Discussion on death
The Last Chapter Discussion Group, featuring a guided discussion about death and dying, will meet from 3 to 4:30 p.m. April 2 at the Eustis Memorial Library, 120 N. Center St. Sign-up is not required; coffee and tea will be available.
Details: 352-357-5686.
ICAN career fair in Leesburg
Beacon College’s Juan and Lisa Jones Center for Career Preparation will host ICAN (Internship Careers And Neurodiversity) 2025 from 12:30 to 3:30 p.m. April 4 at the Venetian Center in Leesburg, 1 Dozier Circle.
The internship and early career event is specifically for college students who learn differently and employers eager to develop a neurodiverse talent workforce. It is designed to remove barriers and reduce anxiety often associated with large-scale “convention center” types of events.
Success coaches will be available to support student/employer engagement along with a ZEN Den for those students who need private space to process and reconnect with recruiters when ready.
Employers will also share information about workplace accommodations for those with learning and attention difficulties.
ICAN 2025 will also showcase some of the latest professional development solutions for students and alumni, including Beacon’s Career Closet 2.0 powered by MyCareer Closet, which offers professional wear for college interns and early career-seekers on a limited budget.
Additionally, students and alumni will have access to professional headshots and Big Interview, an AI online interview practice training system.
National and local employers participating in the event include AmeriCorps, Artist With a Purpose, CareerSource Central Florida, Easterseals Florida, Early Learning Coalition, FIEA – UCF Downtown, LifeStream Behavioral Center, Mission Inn Resort + Club (MMI), Oracle, Sunshine Enterprise USA, and UF Health.
Details: Beaconcollege.edu.
Burn ban in Lake County
Lake County has issued a countywide burn ban effective March 25, due to increasing drought conditions and extreme wildfire conditions brought on by a lack of significant rainfall in recent weeks. The decision follows the Keetch-Byram Drought Index (KBDI) reaching 500 or higher, activating the County’s wildfire prevention protocol.
The burn ban prohibits burning yard debris, land clearing, recreational fires and unauthorized piles of debris to reduce the wild-land fire threats and protect lives, property and natural resources.
Residents can still use barbecue grills, smokers, or small cooking pits with a fuel area of 3 feet or less in diameter and 2 feet or less in height.
Once the KBDI falls below 500 for five consecutive days, Lake County will lift the burn ban. At that time, the county will notify residents through official channels.
Details: lakecountyfl.gov/burnban.
Eustis seeks feedback on Georgefest
The City of Eustis is seeking feedback via survey from area residents who attended and or participated in its Georgefest 2025 to help improve future events.
The event, held Feb. 15-22 in Ferran Park and downtown Eustis, attracted 33,875 visitors with nearly 5,000 watching the Georgefest parade and roughly 6,000 attending the Jo Dee Messina concert Feb. 20.
Those who complete the survey by March 31 will be entered to win a Georgefest merchandise basket.
To take the survey, go to eustis.org.
Southern Gospel concert in Leesburg
Southern Gospel group The Hyssongs will perform in concert at 6 p.m. March 30 at Grace Bible Baptist Church, 1703 Lewis Road, Leesburg. The family trio has been singing together for more than 20 years, combining vocal harmony, humor and brass instruments in their performances.
The concert is free and open to the public; a free will offering will be taken. A nursery for children under 3 years of age will be available.
Details: 352-326-5738.
Watercolor class at Trout Lake
Watercolor artist Ellen Westerholm will lead another Inspired by Nature watercolor class from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. April 2 at Trout Lake Nature Center, 520 E. County Road 44, Eustis.
This month’s subject will be a flower pot and the cost is $50, which covers all needed materials including paint, brushes and art paper. Class size is limited and registration is required. Beginners are welcome.
Details: troutlakenaturecenter.com or 352-357-7536.
Mount Dora hosts traveling exhibition on American Revolution
The W.T. Bland Public Library in Mount Dora has been chosen as one of four sites in Florida to host the The American Revolution Experience, a traveling pop-up exhibition designed to bring the story of the nation’s origin to life. It continues during regular library hours through April 5.
The exhibition was created by the American Battlefield Trust, in partnership with the Daughters of the American Revolution, in advance of the semiquincentennial anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence July 4, 2026, marking 250 years.
Featuring display panels, interactive digital kiosks, unique artifacts, and primary accounts, the exhibition utilizes storytelling, illustration and cutting-edge technology to connect modern audiences with the people and places that shaped the nation’s birth.
Located at 1995 N. Donnelly St., the library is open from 1 to 6 p.m. Sundays, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Mondays, from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesdays and Wednesdays, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Thursdays and Fridays and from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturdays.
Details: 352-735-7180.
Lady Lake offers spring concert series
The Town of Lady Lake is sponsoring a Sounds of Spring Concert Series, a lineup of free live music performances from tribute and cover bands, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. April 5 and May 17 at Snooky Park, 120 Lady Lake Blvd.
The Gotta Grove Band will perform high energy hits during the April 5 concert and the Rundown Band will close out the series with rock and pop favorites.
Attendees are encouraged to bring picnic blankets and lawn chairs. Beer and wine will be available for purchase. Food trucks will also be on-site.
Details: ladylakefl.gov.
School choice transfer applications
Lake County Schools is accepting applications from Lake County residents for 2025-26 Educational Choice transfers through April 30. A second open enrollment will open in June for all Florida residents.
Educational Choice gives families the flexibility to send their children to any traditional public school, regardless of where in Florida they live, as long as the school has capacity and the family can provide transportation.
If an open school (one with capacity to take additional students) receives more applications than it has open seats, a random, computerized lottery will be held and applicants will be selected in the order determined by the lottery. Parents will receive results in mid-May.
Ages 50-over men’s softball league seeks players
The Lakes League Men’s Softball League, for individuals 50 and over, plays games at 9 a.m. Thursdays at Pear Park, 26701 U.S. Highway 27, Leesburg. The league welcomes new players.
Details: tsperanza7@gmail.com.
Prenatal classes offered at Orlando Health South Lake Hospital
Orlando Health South Lake Hospital offers a Ready for Birth childbirth class each week in two parts from 6 to 8 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays, or a one-day class from 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Saturdays. The classes take place at the hospital, 1900 Don Wickham Drive in Clermont.
The class encompasses information about exercises to prepare the mother for birth, relaxation and coping techniques, pain control options, labor positioning, induction and C-section basics, recovery and welcoming baby. Expectant mothers are encouraged to bring up to two support “coaches” to the class. Registration is required and every other month the class is offered in Spanish.
— The hospital also has a prenatal Ready for Breastfeeding class, focused on benefits of breastfeeding for baby and mom, from 6 to 8 p.m. Tuesdays or Thursdays, or from 10 a.m. to noon Saturdays. The class covers what to expect when initiating breastfeeding, skin-to-skin holding, positioning, deep latch techniques, pumps and pumping, and basic troubleshooting.
— A Ready for Baby newborn care class takes place from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Tuesdays. It details what to expect during the hospital stay, infant nutrition options, immunization facts and options, developmental milestones, soothing baby and newborn hygiene.
— A monthly Restore Your Core and Pelvic Floor class will be held from 10 to 11:30 a.m. April 22, and will address common issues like back and pelvic pain, diastasis recti (abdominal separation), urinary incontinence and pelvic floor dysfunction. Women will learn what bodily changes to expect after giving birth, how to prepare for childbirth and how to maximize recovery.
Registration is required for each class. Go to southlakehospital.com and visit prenatal education classes.
A maternal education counselor is available to help select classes and discuss birth plans. To book a 15-minute appointment with a counselor, call 352-386-1185.
Call for dental volunteers
The Lazarus Dental Clinic in Leesburg and St. Luke Medical and Dental Clinic in Eustis, ministries of Catholic Charities of Central Florida, are need volunteers to help them deliver free, quality medical and dental care to dozens of uninsured, low-income clients they see on a weekly basis, all of which are living at or below 300 percent of the Federal Poverty Level.
The dental clinic is located at 1321 Sunshine Ave., Leesburg, in partnership with St. Paul’s Catholic Church, and St. Luke, 722 S. Grove St., Eustis, operates in partnership with St. Mary of the Lakes Catholic Church. The Lazarus Medical Clinic, 210 Wonders St., Wildwood, also needs volunteers.
At each of the facilities, experienced volunteer health care professionals provide services in a caring environment and partner with laboratories, diagnostic centers, hospitals and treatment centers to connect patients with low-cost options for those additional types of services. Adult primary care is provided at St. Luke and the Lazarus Medical Clinic.
Clerical volunteers are needed to provide administrative support at each of the clinics, which are generally open from 9 to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday, by appointment only. Evening hours are scheduled depending on the availability of health care professionals. Experience is not required to volunteer.
Details: Lazarus Dental Clinic at 352-787-6354, ext. 276; St. Luke Medical and Dental Clinic at 352-602-4640 and Lazarus Medical Clinic at 352-748-4567.
To submit events
To submit a community event for online publication, email information at least two weeks before the event to lake@orlandosentinel.com.
