Easter programs and services
— First United Methodist Church of Mount Dora will have a “Light Into Darkness: A Service of Holy Communion with Ritual of Handwashing,” at 7 p.m. April 17 in its sanctuary, 439 E. Fifth Ave.
The church’s Celebration Choir, the Barron String Quartet, from Stetson University and liturgical dancer Alecia Devereaux from Merritt Island will perform the musical “Who is Jesus” at 7 p.m. April 18.
An Easter sunrise service will take place at 6:30 a.m. April 20 on the church’s front lawn. Easter celebration services follow at 8, 9:30 and 11 a.m. in the sanctuary.
The 8 and 11 a.m. services will feature its Celebration Choir and pipe organ and the 9:30 a.m. service will feature its Praise Band. Children’s ministries are available at the 9:30 and 11 a.m. services.
Worshippers are welcome to bring fresh flowers to place on the resurrection cross on the lawn before the services.
The public is welcome to attend the service and all ages are welcome.
Details: 352-383-2005 or mtdorafumc.org.
— Members of Grace Bible Baptist Church, 1703 Lewis Road, Leesburg, will perform the musical drama, “Bow the Knee,” a presentation of Jesus Christ’s life, death and resurrection, at 7 p.m. April 17-19. A nursery will be provided for children under 3 years of age. Admission is free and open to the public.
Also, the church will have its annual Easter sunrise service at 6:45 a.m. April 20, followed by breakfast in the Fellowship Hall. There will be no Sunday School classes. Morning worship will take place at 10:30 a.m. The public is welcome to attend.
Details: 352-326-5738.
— First Presbyterian Church of Mount Dora will open its chapel for prayer and meditation from noon to 3 p.m. on Good Friday, April 18 at 222 W. Sixth Ave. The holy day observes the crucifixion of Jesus and his death at Calvary.
The church will have a special Easter service filled with worship, song, and celebration in its Fellowship Hall at 9 a.m. April 20. A children’s egg hunt in the courtyard follows the service.
At the 11 a.m. Easter service, the Orlando Brass will perform as the congregation worships, prays and sing hymns, Worshippers are welcome to bring a fresh flower to decorate the church’s outdoor cross. A second children’s egg hunt will follow the service.
Details: 352-383-4089 or office@fpcmtdora.org.
— First Presbyterian Church of Mount Dora also is hosting a soup and study during Lent called “Living with Grace” from 5:30 to 6 p.m. April 16 in its Biery Fellowship Hall. Homemade soup will be served and the church’s pastor, Dr. Brenda Loyal, will lead the discussion. The program is free and open to the public.
Details: 352-383-4089.
Lady Lake Easter Eggstravanganza
The Town of Lady Lake will host its annual Easter Eggstravanganza on April 12 at Snooky Park,120 W. Lady Lake Blvd., from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. The free community event will feature an egg hunt, games, prizes, food trucks and music.
Details: 352-205-2826.
All about reptiles during Sunday Funday at nature center
Trout Lake Nature Center, 520 E. County Road 44, Eustis, will have a Reptiles Galore program as its monthly Sunday Funday event from 1 to 3 p.m. April 13. It features live snakes, turtles, alligators, lizards and other reptiles, along with information about native and non-native species.
A special presentation by experts from Gatorland will take place at 1:30 p.m., while the Lake County Water Authority and other organizations will be exhibiting and available to answer questions. Interactive learning stations will be scattered around the facility.
The program is free and open to the public, but admission to Trout Lake is $5 per vehicle. Trout Lake members get in free though.
Details: tlnc.director@gmail.com or 352-357-7536.
Grand opening of Mount Dora’s public works facility
The City of Mount Dora will have a grand opening and ribbon-cutting ceremony for its newly completed Public Works and Utilities Facility at 10 a.m. April 11 at 401 Limit Ave. Tours of the facility will take place from 10:30 a.m. to noon.
The facility replaces the City’s former Public Works complex at Highland and Lincoln and houses several city divisions under one roof, including Electric, Water and Wastewater, Public Works and Warehouse operations.
Benefits of the new Public Works Complex include increased staff efficiency through consolidated operations, infrastructure designed for utility resiliency and hurricane preparedness and enhanced protection for city equipment from theft and weathering. It also serves as a foundation for long-term planning to support Mount Dora’s growing needs.
In 2019, Architects Design Group (ADG) was the lead architect and in 2020, Ajax Building Company was chosen as construction manager for the project.
Details: Mountdora.gov.
Learn to grow orchids
The Lake County Extension Office will have a Growing Orchids class from noon to 1 p.m. April 15 at the Eustis Memorial Library, 120 N. Center St.
Essential care techniques, how to encourage orchids to bloom and details on which varieties flourish in Florida’s heat and humidity will be shared. The program is free and open to the public, but signup is required to secure a spot.
Details and registration: 352-357-5686.
Genealogy classes at Clermont library
The Pastfinders of South Lake County Genealogical Society will have Family History Research classes at 1 p.m. April 16 and 30 in Room 221 of the Cooper Memorial Library, 2525 Oakley Seaver Drive, Clermont. The free sessions are standalone and each one features valuable insights on how to trace family history.
Details: Pastfindersslc.org.
4 homes built by Habitat and Youth Construction Academy students to be dedicated
Habitat for Humanity of Lake-Sumter, in partnership with Leesburg High School, The Villages Charter School, and Eustis High School, recently completed four new homes as part of its Youth Construction Academy. Dedication ceremonies for the houses are at 8 a.m. April 17 in the auditorium of Leesburg High School, 1401 Yellow Jacket Way, and at 1 p.m. April 18 at 303 S. Pine St., Bushnell.
Two other homes will be dedicated at 8 a.m. May 1 at 1270 Cottage Circle, Tavares, and at 1 p.m. May 9 at 305 S. Pine St., Bushnell.
Habitat Lake-Sumter’s Youth Construction Academy, through the partnership of select high schools, is a career and technical program designed to provide experiential learning and introduce students to the field of construction. Students graduate from the program OSHA-certified, with hands-on experience and industry connections.
The construction of each home began at the start of last year’s fall semester.
Dedication ceremonies are open to the public. Details: 352-483-0434.
30th annual Earth Day Festival
The City of Mount Dora and the Mount Dora Friends of the Environment will have its 30th Annual Earth Day Mount Dora Festival from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. April 12 at Donnelly Park, 530 N. Donnelly St.
A sidewalk chalk art festival will also take place from 10 a.m. to noon. Artists of all ages can create vibrant chalk art near the park fountain. Prizes will be awarded in four categories: elementary, middle schools, high schools and adult.
The festival will include more than 45 eco-friendly exhibitors presenting educational displays, sustainable products, and services that promote environmental awareness and green living.
Mount Dora urban forester Mark Miller and city staff will also lead workshops on native species, proper pruning techniques, and best planting practices. Workshops will be held every half hour from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. and from 12:30 to 2:30 p.m. in the Donnelly Park building.
Free tree seedlings, including crape myrtle, and other eco-friendly giveaways, will be available while supplies last. Educational programs on backyard beekeeping, perfect for gardeners interested in supporting pollinators, will take place too.
The event aligns with the International Earth Day 2025 theme: Our Power – Our Planet. Attendees are encouraged to take part in electronic recycling by bringing old phones, laptops, cords, chargers, tablets, and other devices for responsible disposal.
The family-friendly event is free and open to the public.
Details: Mountdora.gov.
Leesburg Fire Assessment exemption applications due by May 1
Leesburg residents seeking an exception from its annual Fire Protection Services special assessment, implemented in 2015 to fund fire protection services, must apply no later than May 1.
Leesburg’s Fire Protection ordinance provides for certain exemptions in the following categories of property: Homesteaded, owner-occupied residential parcels owned by low-income persons as defined in the ordinance (hardship assistance); mobile home park and recreational vehicle park properties, in accordance with an occupancy formula specified in the ordinance and wholly tax-exempt church property used primarily for religious purposes.
The annual fire protection assessment is based on the classification of each parcel of property and number of billing units contained therein.
Completed forms and supporting documentation can be returned in person to the city clerk’s office at Leesburg City Hall, 501 W. Meadow St., or by mail to PO Box 490630, Leesburg, FL, 34749. Requests for exemption from the assessment must be filed annually.
Details and application: go to leesburgflorida.gov/my_city/departments/fire/annual_fire_protection_assessment.php.
South Lake Trail closed near Killarney Station
The 13-mile South Lake Trail near Clermont is now closed near Killarney Station, between mile markers 0.0 and 0.5, for resurfacing for the next approximately four weeks. Trail users are encouraged to use alternate routes.
The area can be bypassed by using the sidewalk along State Road 50, which will lead to Hancock Road. From there, trail users can pick up the Hancock Trail, which reconnects with the South Lake Trail.
Details: Call the Parks and Water Resources Office at 352-253-4950.
Adult Easter scavenger hunt
The Town of Lady Lake will host its inaugural adult Easter scavenger hunt, An Eggstraordinary Adventure, at 9 a.m. April 12 at Snooky Park, 120 W. Lady Lake Blvd.
The event will feature a competitive hunt across multiple locations, with teams of two collecting eggs with small prizes. Each business along the route will also have one golden egg, which will qualify teams for top-tier prizes.
Tickets are $10 per person and at least one team member must be over 18 years old. A valid driver’s license is required to participate. The deadline to purchase tickets is April 4 at Lady Lake Town Hall on Fennell Boulevard or the Lady Lake Library on Guava Street.
Prizes include a 75-inch television, a Bose speaker, a Meta Quest 3 virtual reality headset, a drone with a camera, a Kodak Printomatic camera and gift cards valued at up to $200.
Teams that find a golden egg will receive a top prize, while all remaining participants will be entered into a drawing for a $250 gift card.
Participants must return to Snooky Park by 12:15 p.m. A prize ceremony is scheduled for 12:30 p.m.
— The town’s annual Easter Eggstravanganza will also take place April 12 at Snooky Park from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. The free community event will feature an egg hunt, games, prizes, food trucks and music.
Details: 352-205-2826.
30th annual Earth Day Festival
The City of Mount Dora and the Mount Dora Friends of the Environment will have its 30th Annual Earth Day Mount Dora Festival from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. April 12 at Donnelly Park, 530 N. Donnelly St.
A sidewalk chalk art festival will also take place from 10 a.m. to noon. Artists of all ages can create vibrant chalk art near the park fountain. Prizes will be awarded in four categories: elementary, middle schools, high schools and adult.
The festival will include more than 45 eco-friendly exhibitors presenting educational displays, sustainable products, and services that promote environmental awareness and green living.
Mount Dora urban forester Mark Miller and city staff will also lead workshops on native species, proper pruning techniques, and best planting practices. Workshops will be held every half hour from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. and from 12:30 to 2:30 p.m. in the Donnelly Park building.
Free tree seedlings, including crape myrtle, and other eco-friendly giveaways, will be available while supplies last. Educational programs on backyard beekeeping, perfect for gardeners interested in supporting pollinators, will take place too.
The event aligns with the International Earth Day 2025 theme: Our Power – Our Planet. Attendees are encouraged to take part in electronic recycling by bringing old phones, laptops, cords, chargers, tablets, and other devices for responsible disposal.
The family-friendly event is free and open to the public.
Details: Mountdora.gov.
Exhibit on Japan at Mount Dora library
The W.T. Bland Public Library, 1995 N. Donnelly St., Mount Dora, through a partnership with Arching Oaks Art and Culture Center of Eustis, will host a Welcome to Japan exhibit through May 31, featuring an immersive lobby with photographs of Japan and cherry blossom boughs, along with enrichment programs for adults and children.
The Japan Outreach Initiative has provided support staff for the venture and the Japan National Tourism Organization has contributed artwork for the installation. The Friends of the Library Mount Dora is funding the exhibit.
The nonprofit Arching Oaks, located on 20 acres on Thrill Hill Road, is dedicated to raising awareness of the artistic and cultural traditions of Japan and to provide high-quality programming rooted in the traditions.
The organization’s facility includes two traditional Japanese Dojos, including one of only four Kyudojos (training space for Japanese archery) in the United States, a formal tatami room for tea and incense ceremonies, a full-sized art studio, walking paths and Japanese gardens for meditation and the practice of Shinrin Yoku (forest bathing).
The exhibit and related library programs are free and open to the public.
Details: 352-735-7180.
Arbor Day annual tree raffle
In celebration of National Arbor Day on April 25, the Town of Lady Lake will have its annual tree raffle at 5:30 p.m. April 21 in the Town Hall Commission Chambers, 409 Fennell Blvd., reinforcing its commitment to conservation and community beautification.
This year, the town commission doubled the award to $10,000, allowing 50 residents to win $200 in gift certificates to Fairfield Farms Nurseries in Oxford, where they may choose from a variety of trees and plants. Winners must arrange for pickup and planting.
Lady Lake has been recognized as a Tree City USA by the Arbor Day Foundation for 20 consecutive years, highlighting its dedication to urban forestry, tree preservation, and responsible development.
To enter the raffle, Lady Lake residents need to submit an entry form by 6 p.m. April 14 to the Town Clerk’s office at 409 Fennell Blvd. Only one entry per household is allowed and winners from the last two years are not eligible to participate. Winners will be notified via contact information provided and do not need to be present at the drawing.
Entry forms can be found online at ladylakefl.gov and at Town Hall.
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 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.
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.
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.
