Happy Sunday South Laker!
I hope you’re soaking up this spring weather before the humidity really settles in. This week, we’re digging into the roots of our community with the Garden Club’s big return, while also facing the reality of how much time we’re all spending on the road. Yikes!
Let’s dive into what is happening around South Lake:
South Lake News: The Garden Club’s festival return and the results of our community commute poll.
The Week Ahead: A heavy Tuesday for Clermont meetings and a festival-packed Saturday.
Upcoming Events: Everything from AI workshops and 5ks to the Kentucky Derby
South Lake Homes: A meticulously upgraded Spencer Model and a massive 7-bedroom rare find.
South Lake Eats: Authentic Mexican flavors to keep you full.
And more…
— Charlie Ferrer
🟠 South Lake News
Image credit to Clermont Garden Club
The Garden Club’s Big Spring Return
The Clermont Garden Club is officially gearing up for its annual Spring Garden Festival on Saturday, May 2. This isn’t just a plant sale; it’s a full-blown community tradition held at their historic spot on West Avenue.
Local nurseries and vendors are moving in to help you finally fix that spot in your yard that didn't survive the last cold snap. Beyond the plants, the club is using the funds to send local kids to the Wekiva Youth Camp and the SEEK conference to learn about the "Real Florida."
It’s a great way to support local students while scoring some Mother’s Day gifts a week early.
What’s the "star" of your Florida garden?
Poll Results
The results of the commute poll are in from our recent newsletter.
It’s clear that most of our community is spending a significant portion of their day on the road. With 24 total votes tallied, here is how the round-trip travel times break down:
30–60 Minutes: This is the most common experience, leading the pack with 50% of the vote (12 votes).
Over an Hour: The "long haulers" make up the next largest group, with 25% (6 votes) reporting a round-trip commute of more than 60 minutes.
Work From Home: 16.7% (4 votes) have managed to ditch the commute entirely.
Under 30 Minutes: A lucky 8.3% (2 votes) enjoy a quick trip and spending less than half an hour on their daily transit.
★ The Week Ahead
Image Creid to The City of Mascotte
Super Saturday
May 2nd is officially the busiest day on our calendar! While you can kick off the week with some city council meetings, Downtown Clermont transforms into a massive street party for the Family Food Fest, featuring over 30 food trucks, 40+ local vendors, and live music on the City Hall lawn.
Just a few blocks away, the Spring Garden Festival offers a more relaxed vibe with local nurseries and free "make-and-take" projects for the kids.
If you’re looking for a different flavor, head over to Mascotte for their Cinco de Mayo Celebration at Lake David Park, or grab your wide-brimmed hats for the Kentucky Derby Charity Event at The Cove Bar.
Between the local food, the flowers, and the festivities, there is zero excuse to stay on the couch this week!
🗓️ Upcoming Events (Monday-Saturday)
You can submit an event here.
Monday, April 27
Coffee with the Chamber | Clermont
📍 Plaza Collina Dental
🕰️ 8:30 AM - 9:30 AM
Tuesday, April 28
Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) Meeting | Clermont
📍 Clermont City Hall
🕰️ 2:00 PM - 3:00 PM
City Council Meeting | Clermont
📍 Clermont City Hall
🕰️ 3:00 PM - 5:00 PM
Let’s Do Lunch | Clermont
📍 Guru Indian Restaurant
🕰️ 12:00 PM - 1:30 PM
Ribbon Cutting - Radiant Rheumatology LLC | Clermont
📍 2105 Hartwood Marsh Rd, Ste 3
🕰️ 4:30 PM - 5:00 PM
AI After Dark: LAB, From Prompt to Workflow | Clermont
📍 The Community Foundation of South Lake
🕰️ 6:00 PM - 7:30 PM
Ethics Advisory Committee Meeting | Groveland
📍 Lake David Center
🕰️ 2:00 PM - 5:00 PM
Story Time with Toddlers | Montverde
📍 Helen Lehmann Memorial Library
🕰️ 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM
Wednesday, April 29
Spring U-Pick | Clermont
📍 Southern Hill Farms
🕰️ 9:00 AM - 2:00 PM
Solutions Networking | Clermont
📍 Cheeser's Palace
🕰️ 8:00 AM - 9:00 PM
Ribbon Cutting/3 year Anniversary - I Am A Safe Place | Groveland
📍 441 S Main Ave
🕰️ 9:00 AM - 9:30 AM
Thursday, April 30
Spring U-Pick | Clermont
📍 Southern Hill Farms
🕰️ 9:00 AM - 2:00 PM
Ribbon Cutting & Business After Hours - Game On Clermont | Clermont
📍 524 West Ave
🕰️ 4:45 PM - 7:00 PM
Friday, May 1
Top of the World: A Carpenters Tribute | Clermont
📍 Clermont Performing Arts Center
🕰️ 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM
🎫 Get Tickets
Spring U-Pick | Clermont
📍 Southern Hill Farms
🕰️ 9:00 AM - 2:00 PM
First Friday Chamber Connection | Clermont
📍 Call 352-394-4191
🕰️ 7:15 AM - 8:30 AM
Saturday, May 2
Family Food Fest | Clermont
📍 Downtown Clermont
🕰️ 4:00 PM - 8:00 PM
Spring Garden Festival | Clermont
📍 849 West Ave
🕰️ 9:00 AM - 2:00 PM
2nd Annual Run for Hope, Walk for Change 5k | Clermont
📍 Lake Louisa State Park
🕰️ Starts at 7:30 AM
Clermont Waterfront Parkrun (Free 5k) | Clermont
📍 Lake Hiawatha Preserve
🕰️ Starts at 7:30 AM
Spring U-Pick + Fun Zone | Clermont
📍 Southern Hill Farms
🕰️ 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Kentucky Derby Charity Event | Clermont
📍 The Cove Bar
🕰️ 11:30 AM - 8:00 PM
KLB Cleanup Guild - Quest for a Cleaner Lake County | Minneola
📍 Old Hwy 50
🕰️ 8:30 AM - 11:30 AM
Outdoor Adventure Series: Kayak & Paddle Boarding | Groveland
📍 Lake David park
🕰️ 8:30 PM - 12:30 PM
Cinco de Mayo Celebration | Mascotte
📍 Lake David park
🕰️ 2:00 PM - 6:00 PM
🏡 South Lake Homes
South Lake is booming! Our community continues to grow, so let’s find your Clermont home.
Home 1
Price: $519,000
Address: 1494 Lakemist Ln, Clermont, FL 34711
Details: 2,434 sqft / 4 Bed / 3 Bath
Built in: 2003
Highlight: This meticulously upgraded 4-bedroom Spencer Model offers the ultimate Florida lifestyle, featuring a 2023 roof, a gourmet kitchen, and an expansive outdoor paver deck perfect for entertaining.
Home 2
Price: $539,900
Address: 654 Skyridge Rd, Clermont, FL 34711
Details: 4,032 sqft / 7 Bed / 4 Bath
Built in: 2005
Highlight: This expansive 7-bedroom, 4-bathroom Clermont home offers a massive flexible living space, making it a rare find for those seeking multigenerational potential or massive scale at an accessible price point.
🍽️ South Lake Eats
Image credit to Roy Shiwanth
Coyote Rojo
This spot is vibrant and authentic Mexican restaurant that is celebrated for its warm, family-friendly atmosphere and rustic charm. The menu features a wide array of traditional mexican dishes made from fresh ingredients and bold spices that capture the heart of Mexican cuisine. It truly stands out as a hidden gem for anyone seeking genuine flavors and a relaxed dining environment in the Groveland area.
Signature Dish: Try the Chimichangas, which known to keep you full until the next day!
Location: 214 W Broad St, Groveland, FL 34736
Phone: (352) 557-8999
⏲️ Old Florida Recipe
Image credit to Florida Sportsman
Shrimp and Grits
If you were lucky enough to buy some fresh shrimp this week, we found the perfect way to serve them. This Shrimp and Grits recipe takes the classic Southern staple and elevates it with smoky bacon, sharp cheddar, and a hint of Cajun spice. It’s a hearty, coastal comfort meal that tastes even better when you’ve cook it yourself.
Other recipes you might like:
Bay Scallop Quesadilla - This recipe offers a combination of sweet and tender scallops with melted Monterey Jack and a hint of spice. They’re the perfect light lunch or appetizer for any seafood lover.
Seafood Pot Pie - This Seafood Pot Pie recipe elevates a traditional favorite by packing it with fresh shrimp and scallops in a rich, creamy sauce. It’s a hearty, soul-warming meal that brings the best of the coast right to your dinner table.
🌻 Grow & Bloom
May’s Essential Planting and Maintenance
Get your garden ready for the summer heat! This month, the focus is on heat-tolerant, Florida-friendly favorites like Angelonia and Pentas, as well as native host plants such as Milkweed and Frog Fruit to create a thriving sanctuary for butterflies and bees.
As Florida reaches the peak of its drought season, it is vital to mulch heavily and water during off-peak hours to retain soil moisture and help new plants establish strong root systems.
Watch: What to Plant in May in Florida (from Wild Floridian)
❤️ 2,000+ South Lakers
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