Happy Friday South Laker!
Hope your week is going smoothly! Today we’re diving into Groveland’s latest hurricane preparedness push and breaking down our community poll results on how local leaders should handle our area's rapid growth.
We’re also spotlighting Fiona (a total sweetheart of a pup looking for her forever couch!), fresh Pan-Asian flavors and sushi at Akina Bistro, and a new boutique downtown project coming to historic Clermont.
Let’s dive in.
— Charlie Ferrer
🟠 South Lake News
Image credit to City of Groveland
City of Groveland Issues Hurricane Preparedness Push
With hurricane season underway, the City of Groveland and Deputy Fire Chief Erich Thiemann are urging South Lake residents to finalize their family emergency plans before the next storm threatens the area.
Rather than waiting for a storm system to enter the Gulf, city officials recommend taking immediate steps to secure your property, organize supply kits, and ensure your household is connected to official Lake County emergency channels.
For emergency alerts, sign up for AlertLake (Lake County’s free emergency notification system) at AlertLake.com to receive emergency texts, evacuation notices, and road closure alerts.
📊 Community Poll
How prepared is your household for hurricane season this year?
- 🎒 Fully Prepared: Emergency kit stocked, generator tested, and registered for AlertLake.
- 🛒 In Progress: Working on supplies, but still need to prep our home and paperwork.
- 🚨 Not Ready: Haven't started prepping yet. I need to get on it this week.
- ❓ New to Florida: This is my first hurricane season, and I need a complete guide.
Poll Results:
As Minneola continues its rapid growth, we asked what community improvement local leaders should prioritize next. With 48 total votes cast, the community voice is clear: managing the impact of explosive growth on our roadways is the top concern.
62.50% (30 votes) - Traffic Management & Road Infrastructure: The majority of respondents agree that upgrading congested corridors and widening key arterial roads, and improving overall traffic flow must be the city's #1 focus.
22.92% (11 votes) - More Local Dining & Retail: Coming in a solid second place, these voters want to see commercial development keep pace with home building and bringing in new local eateries, shops, and daily conveniences.
12.50% (6 votes) - Public Recreation: This group want the city to prioritize outdoor amenities, advocating for more fishing piers, neighborhood parks, and multi-use trails to preserve Minneola’s active, family-friendly charm.
2.08% (1 vote) - Upgrades to Local Schools & Family Facilities: With just a single vote, they want the city to focus primarily on school and family facility expansions.
🐕 Together with Humane Society of Lake County
Meet Fiona: 1 year old, 36 lbs of pure perfection! 💛
This affectionate mixed breed is the total package: she loves outdoor adventures, walks beautifully on a leash, gets along great with other dogs, and has mastered the art of the couch cuddle. Whether it's playtime or nap time, Fiona brings her whole heart to it.
She's looking for a cat-free home where she can be the center of attention (as she deserves!). Fiona is currently in a loving foster home finishing up her heartworm treatment, but she's ready to meet her forever family soon.
Visit her profile at the Humane Society of Lake County and take the first step toward bringing home your new best friend.
🏡 South Lake Homes
South Lake is growing! Step up and secure your perfect home in one of Florida's fastest-growing, top-rated communities!
Home 1
Price: $374,900
Address: 6941 Dilly Lake Ave, Groveland, FL 34736
Details: 1,850 sqft / 4 Bed / 2 Bath
Built in: 2022
Garage: 2 Cars
Click here: To view the full house & plan your showing!
Home 2
Price: $375,000
Address: 1961 Hemingway Cir, Groveland, FL 34736
Details: 1,676 sqft / 3 Bed / 2.5 Bath
Built in: 2023
Garage: 2 Cars
Click here: To view the full house & plan your showing!
📰 Community Impact
Public Safety Assurance
Groveland city officials say police and fire services remain fully funded despite ongoing budget discussions. Leadership stressed that emergency response capacity will keep pace with the city's rapid residential growth, particularly in the south end, where new neighborhoods are testing existing infrastructure.
Downtown Mixed-Use Expansion
Developers have unveiled a boutique mixed-use project for historic downtown Clermont, combining retail and residential space with walkable urban design. The proposal is the latest in a string of investments aimed at revitalizing the downtown core and drawing new commercial activity to local businesses.
Groveland Four Exhibit
A Lake County museum is developing a new exhibit on the Groveland Four, featuring historical artifacts, oral histories, and educational displays. The installation is intended as both a space for reflection and a resource for regional education on one of Central Florida's most pivotal civil rights cases.
Back-to-School Supply Push
The Lake County Sheriff's Office distributed hundreds of fully stocked backpacks to local students during its annual back-to-school giveaway. Deputies and volunteers ran the event as part of an ongoing effort to close school-supply gaps and build relationships between law enforcement and the families they serve.
Clermont Author Spotlight
Local attention is turning to "The Adventures of Will Thacker," a new book series rooted in regional storytelling. The series showcases homegrown creative talent and adds to Clermont's growing profile as a hub for local authors and artists.
🍽️ South Lake Eats
Image credit to Marie Mitchell via Google
Akina Sushi & Asian Food Bistro in Clermont is a standout spot for fresh sushi and Pan-Asian flavor, blending the best of Japanese and Chinese cuisine into one memorable menu. Every dish relies on vibrant, high-quality ingredients, featuring exceptionally fresh raw fish and crisp vegetables tossed in carefully balanced house sauces. The portion sizes are generous, ensuring a thoroughly satisfying meal whether you crave light, refreshing sashimi or warm, savory noodles.
What to order:
Specialty Sushi Rolls - Creative flavor combinations, striking presentation, and consistently fresh, high-quality fish.
Singapore Noodles - Thin rice noodles stir-fried with crisp vegetables and fragrant curry spices for a savory, satisfying bite.
Spring Rolls – A crowd-favorite starter, prized for its light, crispy shell and subtly spiced filling.
📍 Support Local Business
Image credit to J & R Palms and Landscaping Inc
J & R Palms and Landscaping Inc, based in Minneola, is a full-service landscaping company specializing in landscape design, irrigation systems, land clearing, and the sourcing and installation of mature palm trees. This includes Medjool, Sylvester, and Sabal varieties.
Homeowners turn to J & R for complete yard transformations, from initial grading and rock bed installation to sod replacement and ongoing palm trimming and maintenance. All handled by one experienced team, start to finish.
🗓️ Local Events
Friday, July 24
Laine Breeden - LIVE Music | Clermont
📍 The Roasted Spirit
🕰️ 7:00 PM - 10:00 PM
Studio 77 / Disco Night | Clermont
📍 The Station
🕰️ 8:00 PM - 11:00 PM
Trivia Night: Elf Squad Summer Showdown | Groveland
📍 Barrels and Boards
🕰️ 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM
Saturday, July 25
Christmas in July | Clermont
📍 Clermont Citrus Tower
🕰️ 9:00 AM - 1:00 PM
Patrick Lake - LIVE Music | Clermont
📍 The Roasted Spirit
🕰️ 7:00 PM - 10:00 PM
Haywire / Country Night | Clermont
📍 The Station
🕰️ 8:00 PM - 11:00 PM
Wayfinder’s Island Market | Clermont
📍 Clermont City Center
🕰️ 11:00 AM - 3:00 PM
🎫 Get Tickets
Go with Flow Yoga & Art Fusion | Clermont
📍 One Yoga & Fitness
🕰️ 3:00 PM - 5:30 PM
🎫 Book Your Spot
The Vendor Exchange: Watercooler Vendor Networking Event | Clermont
📍 south Lake Art League
🕰️ 9:00 AM - 11:00 AM
🎫 Get Tickets
Dave Capp & France Neil - LIVE Music | Minneola
📍 Lakeridge Winery & Vineyards
🕰️ 12:00 PM - 4:00 PM
Calling Kritter Bi-Weekly Auction | Groveland
📍 Ali’s Farm of Groveland
🕰️ 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
July 2026 LEGO Club Meetup | Montverde
📍 17015 Porter Ave
🕰️ Starts at 10:00 AM
Sunday, July 26
The Ladies Table: Tiki Bar | Clermont
📍 17015 Porter Ave
🕰️ 5:00 PM - 6:30 PM
Farmers Market | Clermont
📍 752 West Montrose Street
🕰️ 9:00 AM - 1:00 PM
Scotty Lake - LIVE Music | Clermont
📍 The Roasted Spirit
🕰️ 2:00 PM - 5:00 PM
Rock and Roll Bingo with Casey | Clermont
📍 The Station
🕰️ 5:00 PM - 7:00 PM
Open Mic Night and Karaoke | Clermont
📍 The Station
🕰️ 7:30 PM - 10:30 PM
Sunday Breakfast Buffet | Clermont
📍 Suncreek Brewery & Distillery
🕰️ 11:00 AM - 1:00 PM
Paddleboard Yoga Flow Summer | Clermont
📍 Lake Hiawatha Preserve
🕰️ 7:30 AM - 9:30 AM
Saturday Group Bike Ride | Clermont
📍 1675 Hancock Rd
🕰️ 7:30 AM - 10:30 AM
Zack Denby - LIVE Music | Minneola
📍 Lakeridge Winery & Vineyards
🕰️ 12:00 PM - 4:00 PM
❤️ Thanks!
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!
