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By TomL

The 2nd Annual Mac N Cheese Festival was put on by the Lady Lake Chamber. It was also a business Showcase with Arts & Crafts, Live DJ, and Local Business vendors filled the Log Cabin Grounds. An estimated 2,000 people passed through the vendor rows. They had a Mac N Cheese tasting judge by well known people.

The Mac N Cheese Festival started out with my wife setting up our table in a shady spot, the day was beautiful with a slight breeze, vendors were busy rushing around. We decided to travel light, bringing papers for just the Villages and the Lady Lake area. a few brochures and of course candy. It was fantastic the amount of people appearing at opening time and it stayed that way most of the day. They had a Mac N Cheese contest. The categories were Best Tasting, The Mayors Choice, The People’s Choice, Judges Choice, Best Decorated Booth, Best Decorated Booth Mac N Cheese Theme and the Best Gift Basket!

I met a lot of people that day and saw people I had not seen in years so it was a good day for me. I bought my son some Girl Scout Cookies that are sometimes hard to find.

A lot of fun was had by all. It was the second year and everyone is looking forward to next year including me.

Judges Choice Winner: Kiwanis of Lady Lake

Mayors Choice Winne: Watercrest at Spanish Springs

Peoples Choice Winner: Watercrest at Spanish Springs (With 225 Total Votes)

Best Decorated Booth: United Southern Bank (TROPHY)

Best Decorated Booth Mac N Cheese Theme: Visiting Angels & (GIFT BASKET  from Luke Emerson Edward Jones)

Guest Columnist: Leslie DiCesare, Executive Director

Lady Lake Area Chamber of Commerce

We enjoyed a busy March at the Lady Lake Area Chamber of Commerce full of events and more! The Chamber hosted several networking events including breakfast at Keke’s in Lady Lake. Businesses had a chance to network and take home door prizes.

The Chamber also hosted our monthly networking lunch at Texas Roadhouse in Lady Lake. Attendees leave with quality leads & referrals. Non-Chamber members are invited to attend an event as a guest before joining.

The 2nd Annual Mac N Cheese Festival/Business Showcase was well attended, and local businesses & clubs were able to compete for the chance to take home a 6ft trophy. The winner for Judges Choice was Kiwanis Club of Lady Lake, Mayor’s Choice was Watercrest at Spanish Springs, Peoples Choice was Watercrest at Spanish Springs, Best Mac N Cheese Theme Decorated Booth was Visiting Angels, and Best Overall Decorated Booth was United Southern Bank. Donations were collected for our community outreach programs. We are looking forward to bringing this event back next year even bigger and cheesier! Continue reading →

The Annual Awards Dinner & Board Installation was held at The Waterfront Inn in Lake Sumter Landing. Chamber members enjoyed an evening of networking, awards, a silent auction, and even a wine toss. The event would not have been possible without the support of our wonderful sponsors. Sponsors of the evening include Visiting Angels, Mia Bella Salon & Spa, United Southern Bank, Belleview Chiropractic Clinic, UF Health The Villages Hospital Auxiliary Foundation, Elevate Lake, Bill Bryan Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram, Beyers Funeral Home, Gold in Art Jewelers, VITAS Healthcare, Carried Away Gifts, East Coast Capital, The Waterfront Inn, Nothing Bundt Cakes, Glitterati Hair Studio.

Pictured is Leslie Dicesare presenting some of the people being awarded. The event was dress your best. The members went all out. Congratulations to you all.

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Guest Speaker at the Lady Lake Chamber Luncheon was Sharon Gadbois of SBA. Sharon is a public affairs specialist with the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) in the Office of Disaster Assistance and has been with them for nearly three years. She first started in Customer Service and then was placed on the Shuttered Venue Operators Grant project before coming to Field Ops Center East in the Communications Department. Prior to the SBA, she had a marketing business where she consulted hundreds of small businesses for many years.

Scott Goodger of Kitchenwise & Leslie DiCesare Executive Director of Lady Lake Area Chamber of Commerce on the weekly Chamber Chat show Fridays from 9-11 a.m. on WQBQ 1410 AM. An exclusive benefit for Chamber Members to promote their business.

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February 11^th at 9:00 AM

Lake Norris Conservation Area
38343 Lake Norris Road, Eustis

Contact Mary Koch at 352-324-6141 or email mkoch@lcwa.org.

http://www.lcwa.org

Considered one of the best paddles in Lake County, join staff as they guide participants on a tour of the renowned Blackwater Creek, part of the Wekiva Wild and Scenic River system. Ibis, wood stork, osprey, warblers and more may be spotted.

February 10^th at 8:00 PM

Pine Meadows Conservation Area
2280 Pine Meadows Golf Course Road, Eustis

Contact Justin Gentles at 352-431-8798 or email justin.gentles@lakecountyfl.gov.

http://www.lakecountyfl.gov/parks

Bring your flashlight, headlamps and insect repellent to see what wildlife is active in the park after everyone goes home and the sun