Happy Sunday South Laker!

There’s something special about the energy in our community lately. Whether it’s seeing one of our own educators, Reshonda Scott, recognized on the state stage or the collective voice of residents being heard at the County Commission meeting, it’s a great week to be a South Laker.

Let’s dive into what is happening around town:

  • Community Spotlight: A Statewide Win for East Ridge High

  • Events: Wine Strolls, Jazz Festivals, and Salsa Nights

  • Laker Notes: Development Updates, Traffic Alerts, and a Professional Cuddler

  • South Laker Eats: Stepping into the "BBQ Museum" at Willie's

  • And more…

Let’s get to it.

β€” Charlie Ferrer

✨ Community Spotlight

Image credit to Lake County Schools

A Win for East Ridge High

We’ve got some serious talent in our local schools, and it’s time to give a massive shout-out to Reshonda Scott from East Ridge High School. She was just named one of only three finalists for the 2026 Florida Assistant Principal of the Year award. Out of the entire state, our very own is being recognized for the heart and hustle she puts into our kids every day.

What’s the most important factor in a great local school for you?

Login or Subscribe to participate

Poll Results

Our recent poll from The Perfect NY Slice & Weekend Vibes shows that β€œVolunteering my time on weekends” is the top choice for supporting South Lake. The results highlighed a strong local desire for hands-on community engagement over financial or passive contributions.

πŸ—“οΈ Events (Monday-Saturday)

You can submit an event here.

Monday, April 13

Coffee with the Chamber | Clermont
πŸ“ Holiday Inn Express
πŸ•°οΈ 8:30 AM - 9:30 AM

Martini Monday in Dobel Lounge | Clermont
πŸ“ The View
πŸ•°οΈ 6:00 PM - 10:00 PM


Tuesday, April 14

City Council Meeting | Clermont
πŸ“ Clermont City Hall
πŸ•°οΈ 3:00 PM - 5:00 PM

Ethics Advisory Committee Meeting | Clermont
πŸ“ Lake David Center
πŸ•°οΈ 1:00 PM - 2:30 PM

5+ Course Buorbon Dinner | Clermont
πŸ“ Root & Branch bistro+bar
πŸ•°οΈ Starts at 6:30 PM

Let’s Do Lunch | Clermont
πŸ“ The Crooked Spoon Gastropub
πŸ•°οΈ 12:00 PM - 1:30 PM

AI After Dark: Autonomous AI Who’s Really in Control | Clermont
πŸ“ Community Foundation of South Lake
πŸ•°οΈ 12:00 PM - 1:30 PM
🎫 Reserve a spot

Town Council Regular Meeting | Montverde
πŸ“ Town Hall
πŸ•°οΈ 7:00 PM - 10:00 PM

Story Time for Toddlers | Montverde
πŸ“ Helen Lehmann Memorial Library
πŸ•°οΈ 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM


Wednesday, April 15

Smoke Alarm Battery Replacements | Clermont
πŸ“ Clermont Fire Department
πŸ•°οΈ All Day

Solutions Networking | Clermont
πŸ“ Cheeser's Palace
πŸ•°οΈ 8:00 AM - 9:00 AM

Ribbon Cutting - KMF Advisors | Clermont
πŸ“ 205 W. Washington St, Suite A
πŸ•°οΈ 4:00 PM - 5:00 PM

Music Bingo Hosted by FunkMaster K & Sweet Beatz | Clermont
πŸ“ The View
πŸ•°οΈ 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM


Thursday, April 16

Salsa Night at The View | Clermont
πŸ“ The View
πŸ•°οΈ 6:00 PM - 10:00 PM

City Council Workshop | Groveland
πŸ“ E. L. Puryear Building / Community Center
πŸ•°οΈ 10:00 AM - 2:00 PM


Friday, April 17

GO NOW! The Music of The Moody Blues - The Tribute | Clermont
πŸ“ Clermont Performing Arts Center
πŸ•°οΈ 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM
🎫 Get Tickets Here

Organic Blueberry Upick - Day 1 (Opening Weekend) | Clermont
πŸ“ Blueberry Hill Farm
πŸ•°οΈ 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM

Chamber Breakfast 2026 | Clermont
πŸ“ Clermont City Center
πŸ•°οΈ 7:15 AM - 8:30 AM

Ribbon Cutting - Unforsaken Treasures Resale Shop | Clermont
πŸ“ Clermont City Center
πŸ•°οΈ 11:30 AM - 12:00 PM

Live Music with Ray Nichols Band | Clermont
πŸ“ The View
πŸ•°οΈ 6:00 PM - 9:00 PM


Saturday, April 18

AdventHealth Elevate 5K | Clermont
πŸ“ Clermont Waterfront Park
πŸ•°οΈ 8:00 AM - 12:00 PM
🎫 More Info

Clermont Art and Jazz Festival | Clermont
πŸ“ Clermont Waterfront Park
πŸ•°οΈ 3:00 PM - 9:00 PM
🎫 More Info

April Wine Stroll | Clermont
πŸ“ Downtown Clermont
πŸ•°οΈ 6:00 PM - 9:00 PM

Organic Blueberry Upick - Day 2 (Opening Weekend) | Clermont
πŸ“ Blueberry Hill Farm
πŸ•°οΈ 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM

Touch a Truck Charity Event | Clermont
πŸ“ Cypress Cove Marina and Resort
πŸ•°οΈ Starts at 11:30 AM

Live Music with School of Rock | Clermont
πŸ“ The View
πŸ•°οΈ 6:00 PM - 9:00 PM

Butterflies and Classic Music | Montverde
πŸ“ Butterfly Garden
πŸ•°οΈ 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM

πŸ“‹ Laker Notes

Development
In a significant win for local residents, Lake County commissioners voted Tuesday to reject a settlement agreement that would have allowed for a new 79-unit subdivision in unincorporated Clermont.

Traffic
The Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) is beginning roadwork on S.R. 33 (C.R. 33) between Edgewood Boys Ranch Road and Wright Street. Motorists should expect rotating lane closures in both directions.

Education
Lake County Schools is currently aligning resources for Title III and Title IV grants for the 2026-2027 school year. Your feedback is essential to this process. Please provide your input no later than April 24, 2026.

Cause
Say hello to Kishu! At just 2 years old, he’s a professional cuddler and a total sucker for tummy rubs. If you’re looking for a loyal sidekick who’s always ready for attention, Kishu is your guy

Outdoors
The AdventHealth Elevate 5K is taking over the lakefront this Saturday morning. Register online tonight to secure your race shirt size!

Concert
Get ready for the Blues at the Winery Festival happening over at Lakeridge on April 25th and 26th. Bring your own lawn chairs, but leave the coolers at homeβ€”they’ve got plenty of wine and food on-site.

Arts
The inaugural Clermont Art and Jazz Festival kicks off Saturday afternoon at Waterfront Park. Grab a two-day pass to celebrate the creativity and culture of our region’s finest local artists.

Try this
Salsa Night is happening at "The View" in Clermont this Thursday night. If you have no partner, do not worry. It’s a very social crowd and beginner-friendly.

Grocery Deals
Score the best deals from Publix, Aldi, and Sprouts today. Your next grocery list just got a lot cheaperβ€”start saving now!

🍽️ South Laker Eats

Image credit to Willie's Bar-b-que

Willie's Bar-b-que

This spot is practically a museum of vintage Florida charm, packed with cool memorabilia that Willie has collected over the years. The vibe is exactly what you want from a neighborhood BBQ jointβ€”authentic, friendly, and smells like heaven the second you pull into the parking lot.

  • Signature Dish: Grab the Rib Plate, but the pulled pork is a close second, especially when paired with their famous mac n’ cheese.

  • Location: 17436 7th St, Montverde, FL 34756

  • Hours: Fridays & Saturdays, 11:00 AM – 7:00 PM

⏲️ Old Florida Recipe

Lemon Orange Cake

This lemon orange cake recipe captures a "Florida sunshine" burst in every bite, featuring a tender, tangy crumb and a zesty citrus-infused frosting. It’s a simple, comforting classic that fills your kitchen with the nostalgic scent of a Clermont orange grove.

Other recipes you might like:

  • Key Lime Pie - This authentic Florida Keys staple strikes a perfect balance between creamy sweetness and sharp, and floral tartness in a buttery graham cracker crust.

  • Florida’s Sour Orange Pie - This vintage pie utilizes the bittersweet, citrusy punch of wild sour oranges to create a silky custard.

  • The Hollywood Brown Derby Grapefruit Cake - This dessert pairs a light-as-air chiffon sponge with layers of tangy cream cheese frosting and fresh, juicy grapefruit segments.

🏑 South Laker Homes

South Lake is booming! As our community continues to grow, so do the opportunities to find your Clermont home.

Home 1

  • Price: $439,000

  • Address: 15321 Greater Groves Blvd, Clermont, FL 34714

  • Details: 2,023 sqft / 4 Bed / 3 Bath

  • Built in: 1998

  • Highlight: This home features light-filled living space and a private, shaded lanai perfect for outdoor relaxation.

Home 2

  • Price: $495,900

  • Address: 17134 Hickory Wind Dr, Clermont, FL 34711

  • Details: 1,970 sqft / 3 Bed / 2 Bath

  • Built in: 2019

  • Highlight: This home features a modern open-concept layout complete with quartz countertops and a versatile flex space.

🌻 Grow & Bloom

Image Credit to Wild Floridian

The April Survival Guide β˜€οΈ

April is the β€œpivot month” for South Lake gardens because of the stronger sun intensity. If you’re aiming for a June harvest, it’s time to stop planting Northern varieties and switch to Florida tough-stuff. For example, try Everglades tomatoes. These tiny powerhouses thrive in our heat and humidity in Central Florida.

Watch: What to Plant in April in Florida from Wild Floridian

❀️ 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!

Keep Reading