Happy Sunday South Laker!

I hope you’ve had a chance to soak up this spring weather. Things are moving fast in our corner of Florida—from major construction projects finally hitting their stride to the return of our biggest local traditions. We’ve gathered everything you need to stay in the loop for the week ahead.

Now, in today's edition:

Let’s get to it.

— Charlie Ferrer

As The South Laker grows, we want to make sure we are actually making your life easier, not just filling your inbox.

We’ve been debating adding a curated "South Lake Steals" section and not a boring 10-page circular, but the top 3 local deals that actually matter.

But we only want to build it if you'll actually want it.

🏅 The Olympus Update: The massive Olympus sports and wellness district in Clermont is finally moving from dirt to vertical construction. This 243-acre "city within a city" is ramping up for 2026, with the first residential community, Reflections at Olympus, set to open model homes this spring. It’s going to put South Lake on the map as a global hub for sports medicine and elite training, creating over 5,000 local jobs. Plus, it finally gives us that high-end Town Center vibe with shops and restaurants right in the Wellness Way corridor.

👣 South Lake Trail is Growing: The FDOT is moving forward with Phase IIIB of the South Lake Trail, which will extend the path by nearly 2 miles from Second Avenue to Silver Eagle Road in Groveland. They recently held a community session to show off the designs for this multi-use trail that will eventually connect even more of our South Lake towns. It’s a big win for our local cyclists and runners who want more safe, paved miles away from the busy SR 50 traffic.

🐷 Pig on the Pond Returns: The legendary Pig on the Pond Festival is taking over Waterfront Park in Clermont starting this Friday, March 27th. As the biggest festival in South Lake, it’s packed with carnival rides, live music, and that famous BBQ, all to raise money for local student scholarships. It’s the ultimate community "feel-good" event where you can grab a wristband for the kids and enjoy fireworks over Lake Minneola.

Clermont City Council Meeting | Clermont
📍 City Hall
🕰️ 3:00 PM - 5:00 PM

Coffee with the Chamber | Clermont
📍 Friendly Grounds Café
🕰️ 8:30 AM - 9:30 AM

Exploration Hike | Clermont
📍 Palatlakaha River Park & Boat Ramp
🕰️ Starting at 9:00 AM

Let’s Do Lunch Networking Event | Clermont
📍 The Station
🕰️ 12:00 PM - 1:30 PM

AI After Dark: Practical AI You Can Reuse | Clermont
📍 The Community Foundation of South Lake
🕰️ 6:00 PM - 7:30 PM

Story Time In The Library for Toddlers | Montverde
📍 Town Center
🕰️ 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM

Clermont Matters | Clermont
📍 Clermont Historic Village
🕰️ 9:00 AM - 10:00 AM

Solutions Networking | Clermont
📍 Cheeser's Palace
🕰️ 8:00 AM - 9:00 AM

Illicit Discharge Employee Training | Groveland
📍 City Hall
🕰️ 12:00 PM - 2:00 PM

Comcast Business - Complimentary Frozen Yogurt | Clermont
📍 Tummis Fronzen Yogurt and Cafe
🕰️ 1:00 PM - 3:00 PM

Pig On The Pond Opening Night | Clermont
📍 Clermont Waterfront Park
🕰️ Starting at 10:00 AM

South Lake Business Awards 2026 | Clermont
📍 Clermont Performing Arts Center
🕰️ 6:00 PM - 9:00 PM

Friday Night Vibes Food Truck Event | Mascotte
📍 334 E Myers Blvd
🕰️ 4:00 PM - 10:00 PM

Pig On The Pond (Day 2) | Clermont
📍 Clermont Waterfront Park
🕰️ Starting at 10:00 AM

Tai Chi In The Park | Clermont
📍 Lake Hiawatha Preserve - Lake Minneola side of park
🕰️ 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM

Founder's Day Celebration | Groveland
📍 Cherry Lake Park
🕰️ 12:00 PM - 8:00 PM

Firearms Safety Training Course | Groveland
📍 City Hall
🕰️ 8:00 PM - 6:00 PM

Minneola Centennial Pickleball Tournament | Minneola
📍 Clerbrook RV & Golf Resort
🕰️ Starting at 9:00 AM

45th Annual Sunnyland Antique Boat Festival | Tavares
📍 Wooten Park
🕰️ March 27, 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM

Spring Plant Sale | Tavares
📍 UF/IFAS Extension Discovery Gardens
🕰️ March 28, Starting at 8:00 AM

Live Entertainment at Conquistador | Howey-in-the-Hills
📍 Conquistador Bar & Restaurant
🕰️ March 27, Starting at 6:00 PM

Howey Artisan Market | Howey-in-the-Hills
📍 Mission Resort + Club
🕰️ March 28, Starting at 9:00 AM

Japan Festival | Eustis
📍 Downtown Eustis
🕰️ March 28, Starting at 10:00 AM

If you a big sweet tooth, you should experience their massive, half-pound cookies that are perfectly crisp on the outside and gooey on the inside. They push the boundaries of dessert science by pairing premium ingredients like Ghirardelli chocolate with a rotating menu of bold and experimental flavors. Beyond our iconic cookies, you can dive into their sous-vide cheesecakes, which are slow-cooked in mason jars for a velvet-smooth finish.

South Lake is growing! As our community continues to grow, so do the opportunities to find your perfect spot.

Home 1

Home 2

If you haven't stepped into The Groveland Exchange yet, you’re missing the literal heart of downtown Groveland. This isn't just a store; it’s a community hub that brings together our local farmers, artists, and makers under one roof. It’s the perfect spot to slow down, support a handful of local micro-businesses at once, and see exactly what our talented South Lake neighbors are creating.

Website: grovelandexchange.com
Location: 132 W Broad St, Groveland
Hours: Tuesday through Friday (8:00 AM - 7:00 PM) and Monday (Closed)

This "Florida Style" Shrimp and Grits recipe is a southern classic that brings restaurant-quality Gulf Coast flavors right to your kitchen using simple, everyday ingredients. The dish stands out by using a "one-pan" method, where savory bacon drippings and sweet fried corn create a rich, creamy base for the cheesy grits.

Best of all, this receipe is an easy cleanup and takes less than 30 minutes to prepare!

He’s already a pro at "sit," "shake," and "down" commands!

After overcoming a surgery to repair a broken leg last summer, Kermit officially fully healed, healthy, and looking for his forever home. This handsome guy hasn't let his past slow him down; he is a sweet, friendly boy who truly loves being around people.

Kermit is neutered and waiting to be your loyal companion at the Lake County Animal Shelter. Come see if he’s the missing piece to your family today!

Thanks for spending part of your day with The South Laker. If this issue brightened your morning, pass it along to someone else who could use a smile this week.

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