Villages News
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
KIDS CRAFTS
April 5, 2023 @ 3:00 PM
Category: Social Activities and Clubs
3:00 PM
Umatilla Public Library
412 HATFIELD DR, Umatilla
Contact Amy Stultz at 352-669-3284 or email umatillalibraryfl@gmail.com.
https://www.umatillalibrary.org/children
Relax with crafts. For elementary school students.
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LAKE COUNTY FAIR
April 6, 2023 @ 1:00 PM
Lake County Fairgrounds
2101 County Road 452, Eustis
352-357-7111
https://www.lakecofair.com/
Mark your calendars for the 102nd Lake County Fair, April 6-15, 2022! The fair’s mission is: “To provide an agricultural and educational showcase that celebrates the accomplishments of Lake County Life.”
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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.
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.
THE INDIGO BLUEGRASS BBQ 2023
February 11th at 12:00 PM
Cassia Community Center/Orianne Center for Indigo Conservation
29245 Florida Highway 44, Eustis
$30 for one, $50 for two
Contact Marcia McGovern at 407-323-4450 or email MarciaM@CentralFloridaZoo.org.
https://www.biddingforgood.com/auction/auctionhome.action?auctionId=341700125
Enjoy live bluegrass, great BBQ, and tours of the Orianne Center for Indigo Conservation or OCIC, parking is available at the Cassia Community Center, then jump on the a/c’d shuttle for a short ride to the OCIC. Be ready to bid on silent auction!
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2023 MOUNT DORA SCOTTISH HIGHLAND FESTIVAL
February 18th at 10:00 AM
Elizabeth Evans Park
100 North Donnelly St., Mount Dora
352-735-7100
https://ci.mount-dora.fl.us/698/Mount-Dora-Scottish-Festival
Celebrate the Scottish Culture in Mount Dora with bagpipers, Highland Athletics, Celtic music, dancing, Society and Heritage Clan Village, Shortbread Contest, and more.
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CLERMONT SPRING FORWARD FESTIVAL
February 25th at 4pm
Historic Downtown Clermont
670 W Montrose StreetClermont
352-617-8788 or email clermontdowntown@gmail.com
https://clermontdowntown.com/events/
Annual home and garden spring show featuring 100+ vendors, crafters, garden demonstrations, home décor, food trucks, kids zone, live music and more!
February 11th 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.
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 10th 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