Happy Sunday South Laker!
The Florida sun is already starting to show its teeth, but that isn't stopping us from being active this week. From the peak of blueberry season at Southern Hill Farms to Anime Night Market, there is no shortage of ways to get out and enjoy our community.
Let’s dive into what is happening around South Lake:
South Lake News: A critical need at the Food Pantry
The Week Ahead: Blueberry U-Pick & Anime Night Market
Upcoming Events: 20+ Local Happenings this Week
South Lake Homes: Two Stunning Minneola Listings
South Lake Eats: A "Slow and Low" BBQ Spotlight
And more…
— Charlie Ferrer
🟠 South Lake News
Image credit to The Neighborhood Center of South Lake
South Lake Food Pantry Facing Critical Need
The South Lake Food Pantry, a vital resource for our neighbors in Clermont and beyond, is currently facing a major hurdle that could impact local families. Their refrigerated box truck, which they rely on to pick up and transport fresh meat, dairy, and produce, has officially reached the end of its life.
Without a functioning refrigerated truck, the pantry is limited in the amount of fresh, healthy food they can rescue from local grocers and distribute to those in need. They have launched an urgent fundraising campaign to secure a new vehicle so they don't have to turn away fresh donations.
This pantry has been a cornerstone of our community for years, and seeing them hit this roadblock is a call to action for all of us. You can help out here.
How do you usually like to give back to the South Lake community?
Poll Results
The poll results from our recent newsletter indicate a tie for the most popular sentiment, with 40.74% of respondents (22 votes each) favoring either slowing down development for better infrastructure or stopping it entirely due to traffic concerns. There is very little support for rapid growth, as only one person voted to "bring on more shops and homes.
★ The Week Ahead
It’s a massive week for outdoor lovers.
We’ve got the peak of blueberry season hitting Southern Hill Farms, which means the "U-Pick" madness is in full swing. If you're heading out there, go early—the Florida sun doesn't play nice after 11:00 AM.
Also, keep an eye on the downtown Clermont area this Saturday; the Anime Night Market is taking over, so parking will be a bit tighter than your average weekend.
If you're planning to attend the Blues at the Winery this weekend, bring your own lawn chairs. The pavilion fills up fast, and you'll want a comfortable spot to settle in for the event.
🗓️ Upcoming Events (Monday-Saturday)
You can submit an event here.
Monday, April 20
Coffee with the Chamber | Clermont
📍 Fifth Third Bank
🕰️ 8:30 AM - 9:30 AM
Ribbon Cutting - Oasis Voyages Travel | Clermont
📍 4619 Collina Terr.
🕰️ 9:30 AM - 10:00 AM
Tuesday, April 21
City Council Meeting | Clermont
📍 Clermont City Hall
🕰️ 3:00 PM - 5:00 PM
Lunch Series: The Small Business Technology Playbook | Clermont
📍 Community Foundation of South Lake
🕰️ 11:30 AM - 1:00 PM
City Council Meeting | Minneola
📍 Minneola City Hall
🕰️ Starts at 6:30 PM
Council Meeting | Mascotte
📍 Tedder / Thomas Civic Center Playground
🕰️ 6:30 PM - 9:00 PM
Story Time for Toddlers | Montverde
📍 Helen Lehmann Memorial Library
🕰️ 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM
Wednesday, April 22
Earth Day Eco Camp | Clermont
📍 The Showcase of Citrus
🕰️ 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Solutions Networking | Clermont
📍 Cheeser's Palace
🕰️ 8:00 AM - 9:00 AM
Salsa-Latin Night | Clermont
📍 The Station
🕰️ Starts at 6:00 PM
Minneola Market & Food Trucks | Minneola
📍 City Hall Gymnasium
🕰️ 5:00 PM - 8:00 PM
Ribbon Cutting - Building Blocks Ministries | Groveland
📍 644 Gadson St.
🕰️ 10:00 AM - 10:30 AM
Thursday, April 23
Salsa Night at The View | Clermont
📍 The View
🕰️ 6:00 PM - 10:00 PM
City Council Workshop | Groveland
📍 E. L. Puryear Building / Community Center
🕰️ 10:00 AM - 2:00 PM
Women’s Paint Night | Groveland
📍 20545 Independence Blvd. Suite B
🕰️ Starts at 6:30 PM
Friday, April 24
U-Pick Blueberries | Clermont
📍 Blueberry Hill Farm
🕰️ 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Crochet Workshop | Clermont
📍 South Lake Art League
🕰️ Starts at 6:30 PM
Arbor Day | Groveland
📍 Cherry Lake Park
🕰️ 11:30 AM - 1:00 PM
Friday Night Vibes Food Truck Event | Mascotte
📍 334 E Myers Blvd
🕰️ 4:00 PM - 10:00 PM
Saturday, April 25
Anime Night Market | Clermont
📍 752 West Montrose Street
🕰️ 4:00 PM - 8:00 PM
LSSC Production: The Little Mermaid | Clermont
📍 Clermont Arts and Recreation Center
🕰️ 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM
27th Annual World Tai Chi & QiGong Day Celebration | Clermont
📍 Lake Hiawatha Preserve - Lake Minneola side
🕰️ 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Her Radiance Rising Fest | Clermont
📍 Victory Pointe
🕰️ 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
AdventHealth U-Run U-Pick Blueberry 5K | Clermont
📍 Southern Hill Farms
🕰️ 7:00 AM - 9:00 AM
Spring U-Pick + Fun Zone | Clermont
📍 Southern Hill Farms
🕰️ 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
U-Pick Blueberries | Clermont
📍 Blueberry Hill Farm
🕰️ 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Ribbon Cutting - FYZICAL Therapy & Balance Centers | Clermont
📍 2400 Hooks Street
🕰️ 9:00 AM - 9:30 AM
Food of Nations | Clermont
📍 690 East Highway 50
🕰️ Starts at 11:00 AM
Blues at the Winery | Minneola
📍 Lakeridge Winery & Vineyards
🕰️ 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Quarterly Bird & Butterfly Survey | Minneola
📍 Ferndale Preserve
🕰️ 7:00 AM - 11:30 AM
Outdoor Adventure Series: E-Bike Ride | Groveland
📍 15001 Silver Eagle Trail
🕰️ 8:30 AM - 12:30 PM
Career and Health Fair | Mascotte
📍 Tedder / Thomas Civic Center Playground
🕰️ 10:00 AM - 2:00 PM
🏡 South Lake Homes
South Lake is booming! As our community continues to grow, so do the opportunities to find your Minneola home.
Home 1
Price: $489,900
Address: 911 Arbor Pointe Ave, Minneola, FL 34715
Details: 5,663 sqft / 5 Bed / 3 Bath
Built in: 2013
Highlight: This home blends modern sophistication with everyday comfort, featuring high-end upgrades like hardwood flooring, a gourmet granite kitchen, and a private backyard oasis with a covered lanai and fire pit.
Home 2
Price: $624,990
Address: 752 Annabell Ridge Rd, Minneola, FL 34715
Details: 2,710 sqft / 4 Bed / 3 Bath
Built in: 2022
Highlight: This home has $65,000 in premium upgrades from the gourmet kitchen with quartz countertops to the extended lanai and pool, every detail is expertly finished.
🍽️ South Lake Eats
Image credit to Bull Smokehouse
Bull Smokehouse
If you’re craving serious BBQ, you’ve got to head over to the Clermont Food Truck Park and track down Bull Smokehouse. This local gem is serving up some of the most tender, wood-fired meats in South Lake. They’ve mastered the art of the "slow and low" smoke, and the quality of their cuts is something you usually only find in high-end steakhouses.
Signature Dish: Grab the Chopped Brisket Burger or Brisket Nachos. For first-time visitors, try their three meat plate and pick three of their slow-smoked meats.
Instagram: @bullsmokehouse
Location: 300 E Hwy 50, Clermont, FL 34711
Phone: (407) 639-3888
⏲️ Old Florida Recipe
Image credit to Meike Peters
Carrot Cake (from Granny Doris)
This spongy carrot cake is made extra moist with the addition of crushed pineapple and chopped Brazil nuts, finished with a creamy lemon and cream cheese icing. Inspired by a family recipe from Florida, it is simple to prepare by mixing wet and dry ingredients and baking in a bundt pan.
Other recipes you might like:
Florida Strawberry Shortcake - This dessert uses sweetened, macerated strawberries layered between split buttermilk biscuits or sponge cake, finished with a generous dollop of homemade whipped cream.
Key Lime Pound Cake - This dense cake uses a classic "pound" base (butter, shortening, sugar, and eggs) but is brightened with the zest and juice of key limes, offering a tart contrast to the rich, sugary crumb.
🌻 Grow & Bloom
Image credit to Better Homes & Gardens
April Heat Check 🌡️
April is a tricky month for us in South Lake. It's technically spring, but the Florida sun is already starting to bake our soil. If you want your garden to survive until June, now is the time to plant Pentas.
They are absolute champions in our local heat and are like magnets for the butterflies and bees fluttering around our lakes.
Click here: The full guide for April planting
❤️ 2,000+ South Lakers
Thanks for spending part of your day with The South Laker. If this issue added a little brightness to your morning, share it with someone who could use a smile this week.
Want to spotlight your business or service? Partner with us.
Or, if you’d just like to lend your support, you can do that here.
See you in the next edition!
