Happy Sunday South Laker!

I hope you had a relaxing holiday weekend with family and friends. Between the neighborhood celebrations and trying to stay cool, a lot has been moving in our community this week.

We have some massive updates on local growth, a historic state budget signing, and an excellent spot you need to check out if you're hunting for a solid, no-nonsense meal right here in Clermont. Here is what you need to know to get your week started right.

Let’s dive in.

— Charlie Ferrer

The Clermont Fire Department kept a 19th-century tradition alive this week, hosting a classic "Push-Back and Wet-Down" ceremony to officially put its brand-new apparatus, Engine 102, into service at Station 2 on Hartwood Marsh Road.

The custom-built Pierce engine comes fully loaded with all-new equipment. The addition allows the department to shuffle resources to keep pace with the massive housing boom on the south end of town. The station's older truck, Tower Engine 5, is packing its bags and heading south to a temporary station servicing the rapidly expanding Wellness Way community, ahead of a permanent Station 5 build scheduled near Wellness Way Boulevard.

Poll Results:

Earlier this week, we asked how you would rate the financial transparency and overall management of your own HOA or neighborhood. With 21 total votes, the results reveal a community heavily divided over neighborhood governance, with a significant portion feeling the strain of rising costs and poor communication.

Looking for a furry friend with tons of potential? Say hello to Sully, a sweet 9-month-old, neutered male pup currently waiting for his forever home at the Lake County Animal Shelter.

Weighing in at about 38 pounds, he is a gentle, timid boy who is still learning about the big wide world. He can be a little shy at first, but with a bit of patience, routine, and positive training, his playful puppy energy and sweet personality truly shine. He’s at the perfect age to learn and just needs a patient adopter to help him build confidence.

Ready to meet your new best friend? Head over to Lake County Animal Shelter and ask to meet Sully today!

South Lake is growing! Step up and secure your perfect home in one of Florida's fastest-growing, top-rated communities!

Home 1

Click here: To view the full house & plan your showing!

Home 2

Click here: To view the full house & plan your showing!

Historic Justice Secured
Descendants of the Groveland Four will receive $4 million in restitution following the official signing of Florida’s new state budget. The state-backed funding will be divided equally among the families of the four Black men wrongfully accused in Lake County in 1949, marking a massive, long-awaited milestone for historical accountability.

Top-Tier Education
Lake County Schools have officially earned an overall "A" grade from the state for the second consecutive year. This highly coveted academic distinction underscores the exceptional growth, student performance, and dedication of educators across our local classrooms.

Life-Saving Pet Protection
The Orlando Cat Café is celebrating National Pet Fire Safety Day by hosting its ninth annual donation of specialized pet oxygen masks to Lake County Fire Rescue. These life-saving kits are specially designed to fit dogs, cats, and small pets, ensuring local emergency teams are fully equipped to revive beloved family pets during smoke inhalation emergencies.

If you're hunting for a solid, no-nonsense Puerto Rican meal in the Clermont area, you need to check out them. The menu hits all the classic Puerto Rican staples, from perfectly seasoned arroz con gandules (rice with pigeon peas) to crispy empanadas and tender carne frita (fried pork chunks).

The Dish to Get
You can't exactly visit a place with "Mofongo" in the name and skip it. Go for the Mofongo with Carne Frita (Fried Pork Chunks) or their Shredded Chicken Mofongo. If you've never had it, mofongo is a beautiful dish made from fried green plantains mashed up in a traditional wooden pilón (mortar and pestle) with plenty of garlic, olive oil, and crispy pork cracklings (chicharrón).

Join us for a special Brooks Demo Night at The View!

Bring a non-perishable food item, baby supplies, OTC medications, or other essential goods to donate, and then lace up a pair of Brooks Ghost 18 or Hyperion Max 4 for a test run or walk.

This drive is close to home for us: our Brooks rep has family in Venezuela and reached out asking for our community's help. As always, we're happy to show up for a good cause!

Event Details:

You can submit an event here.

Coffee with the South Lake Chamber | Clermont
📍 620 W Montrose St
🕰️ 8:30 AM - 9:30 AM

Brooks Demo Night to Support Families in Venezuela | Clermont
📍 The View Clermont
🕰️ Starts at 6:45 PM

Run Clemront at Suncreek Brewery | Clermont
📍 Suncreek Brewery
🕰️ 6:30 PM - 9:30 PM

Tuesday Night Run Group | Clermont
📍 The View Clermont
🕰️ 6:45 PM - 9:45 PM

Pokemon & TCG Midweek Card Show | Clermont
📍 Clermont City Center
🕰️ 2:30 PM - 7:30 PM

Brooks Demo Night to Support Families in Venezuela | Clermont
📍 Dash Sports
🕰️ Starts at 6:00 PM

Adult Learn To Row by Lake County Rowing Association | Clermont
📍 1050 Victory Way
🕰️ Starts at 6:15 PM

Wednesday Social Bike Ride | Clermont
📍 1675 Hancock Rd.
🕰️ 8:00 AM - 11:00 AM

Pace and Speed Work with TRiDi!! | Clermont
📍 Waterfront Park
🕰️ Starts at 6:45 PM

Downtown Clermont Run Group | Clermont
📍 741 W Montrose St
🕰️ 6:30 AM - 9:30 AM

Pilates + Play on the Farm | Clermont
📍 13202 Hartle Rd
🕰️ 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM

Puzzles’s Trivia League | Clermont
📍 The View
🕰️ 7:00 PM - 8:45 PM

Hoops with Cops at Felter Park | Clermont
📍 Lake Felter Park
🕰️ 9:00 AM - 11:00 AM

Friday Family Movie Night | Clermont
📍 2751 Hartwood Marsh Rd.
🕰️ Starts at 6:30 PM

Popsicles with a Cop | Clermont
📍 Waterfront Park
🕰️ 1:00 PM - 3:00 PM

Girls Night Paint Party | Mascotte
📍 AMB Outpost
🕰️ 6:00 PM - 9:00 PM

16th Annual Things and Blings Craft Fair | Clermont
📍 Clermont Arts & Recreation Center
🕰️ 5:00 AM - 5:00 PM

Christmas in July High Tea | Clermont
📍 Erika’s Tea Room & Gifts
🕰️ Starts at 1:00 AM
🎫 Get Tickets

Clermont Waterfront Parkfun (Free 5k) | Clermont
📍 Waterfront Park
🕰️ Starts at 7:00 AM

Author Robert Redd - 100 Things to do in Daytona Beach Before You Die | Clermont
📍 647 Lake Avenue
🕰️ 12:00 PM - 2:00 PM

Meet-and-Greet Adorable Adoptables at Petco | Clermont
📍 2565 E SR-50
🕰️ 11:00 AM - 2:00 PM

SWITCH - LIVE Music | Clermont
📍 The Station
🕰️ Starts at 8:00 PM

Groove Infusion - LIVE Music | Clermont
📍 The View
🕰️ Starts at 8:00 PM

Saturday Social Bike Ride | Clermont
📍 1675 Hancock Rd.
🕰️ 7:30 AM - 10:30 AM

Karaoke Night with DJ Manser | Groveland
📍 Barrels and Boards
🕰️ 8:00 PM - 11:00 PM

Calling Kritter Bi-Weekly Auction | Mascotte
📍 Ali’s Farm of Groveland
🕰️ 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM

Voice your concerns!

Clermont

Bagels with Council Member Bill Petersen
📍 Panera Bread
🕰️ July 6, 9:00 AM - 10:30 AM

Lunch with Mayor Murry
📍 Mission BBQ
🕰️ July 7, 12:00 PM - 1:30 PM

Clermont City Council Budget Workshop
📍 Clermont City Hall
🕰️ July 7, 9:00 AM - 4:30 PM

Planning & Zoning Commission Meeting
📍 Clermont City Hall
🕰️ July 7, Starts at 6:30 PM

Clermont City Council Budget Workshop
📍 Clermont City Hall
🕰️ July 8, 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM

Minneola

Planning & Zoning Commission Meeting
📍 Clermont City Hall
🕰️ July 6, Starts at 6:00 PM

City Council Meeting
📍 Clermont City Hall
🕰️ July 7, Starts at 6:30 PM

Groveland

City Council Meeting
📍 E. L. Puryear Building / Community Center
🕰️ July 6, 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM

Planning & Zoning Board Meeting
📍 E. L. Puryear Building / Community Center
🕰️ July 9, 5:00 PM - 7:00 PM

Montverde

No council meeting this week.

Mascotte

No council meeting this week.

If you found something useful in this newsletter, pass it along to your friends and family, and especially those still looking for things to do.

See you in the next edition!