Lake County Tourism congratulates Sports Commission for honoring local athletes

Lake County Tourism & Business Relations congratulates the Central Florida Sports Commission for organizing the Bright House Sports Network Breakfast of Champions to honor local high-school athletes on May 21 at Mission Inn Resort & Club in Howey-in-the-Hills.

“We are delighted to be a part of this event and to honor the outstanding talents of our local high-school athletes,” said Sam Stark, President of the Central Florida Sports Commission. “We appreciate Bright House Sports Network sponsoring the five-county program and look forward to making this an annual event for many years to come.”

Twenty-five athletes from the Lake County School District and from The Villages High School in Sumter County received special medals for being selected as the best male and female players in their respective sports. Local high-school athletic coaches and athletic directors, as well as Bill Buchalter from the Bright House Sports Network, made selections of the top athletes. Recipients of the award in Lake County include:

Austin Anderson, Mount Dora High baseball James Bell, Montverde Academy boys basketball Kim Smith, East Ridge High girls basketball Chad Spradin, Leesburg High boys bowling Vanessa Colburn, Umatilla High girls bowling Blaine Ramsdell, Mount Dora Bible boys cross country Ciarra Hopkins, Montverde Academy girls cross country Jordan Ozerites, Mount Dora High football offense Nick Waisome, South Lake High football defense David Brown, Eustis High boys golf Mallory Viera, Tavares High girls golf Neil Scwalb, Mount Dora High boys soccer Brooke Smith, Eustis High girls soccer

Kathy Novak, East Ridge High softball Justin Kaisrlik, East Ridge High boys swim & dive Lauren Grinnell, Village High girls swim & dive Dylan Berge, Mount Dora High boys tennis Katelin Mariner, Villages High girls tennis Bryan Kilts, Mount Dora Bible boys track Juline Nunn, South Lake High girls track Joanivette Negron, Tavares High girls volleyball Chris Kamp, Tavares High boys weightlifting Emily Cook, East Ridge High girls weightlifting Bruce Heggie, Mount Dora High boys scholar athlete Amber James, Umatilla High girls scholar athlete

For more information, call Jon Baran, Lake County Marketing Manager at the Central Florida Sports Commission, at 407-648-4900 ext. 21, e-mail jbaran@centralfloridasports.org or log on to www.lakecountysports.org. For more information about Lake County vacations, call (800) 430-LAKE, log on to www.lakecountyfl.com or visit the Welcome Center, located at 20763 U.S. Highway 27 in Groveland.

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Did you receive your quarterly newsletter?

Lake County Tourism & Business Relations sent out this week its quarterly e-mail newsletter.

The digital newsletter features more than 7,000 subscribers. If you did not receive this issue of the quarterly newsletter, you can sign up for the Lake County Tourism Newsletter at www.lakecountyfl.gov/newsletter/.

This issue included articles on Cupcake Delights and Julianne’s Coastal Cottage in Mount Dora, and information on Tourism’s $10 accommodation coupon online.

New to this quarter’s newsletter are sections highlighting Lake County Tourism’s new social media marketing efforts, including podcasts and this blog. In this newsletter are a podcast on the Showcase of Citrus in Clermont and blog posts about sculptures in Eustis, improvements at Wooton Park in Tavares, a guided paddling adventure at Lake Norris and NCAA golf tournament held at Mission Inn Resort & Club.

The newsletter also features select events from Tourism online calendar at www.lakecountyfl.gov/calendar/. Events listed in the newsletter include the Annual Harvest Festival June 18-20 at Lakeridge Winery & Vineyards in Clermont and the Fourth of July Celebration at Wooton Park on July 3.

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See a local up-and-coming music star!

From the beautifully renovated 1922 Historic State Theatre in downtown Eustis this Friday, you can hear Lake County native Doug Spears live in concert.

According to his Web site, www.dougspearsmusic.com, his new album Welcome Home has debuted on the International Folk DJ Chart (The “Billboard” chart for independent folk music) at #3 based on worldwide radio play in January 2010. “Yellow Butter Moon” is the #3 individual song on the chart.

Don Sechelski from musesmuse.com recently reviewed the CD and wrote: “Fourth generation Floridian, Doug Spears, knows the traditions and customs of Florida as well as anyone and he shows it on his new CD, Welcome Home. From the swamps of North Florida to the beaches of Key West, Spears brings the sights, sounds, and even smells of Florida alive in these well written and performed songs.”

The news release from Eustis Main Street’s Public Arts and Music is below:

“A Musical Evening” at the Historic State Theatre

Eustis, FL- Public Arts and Music proudly presents the second in a continuing series of musical performances at the Historic State Theatre on Friday May 21^st.  The Theatre, home to the Bay Street Players, provides a great atmosphere for music as well as the outstanding shows regularly seen there.  Bay Street Players is partnering with Public Arts and Music, a committee of Eustis Main Street, in promoting the performing arts in Eustis.  This “Musical Evening” will feature Barnstorm, Jubal’s Kin, and Doug Spears.

Barnstorm is a quartet of talented musicians whose range of music goes from fiddle tunes to jazz.  Jubal’s Kin caught the ears of Nashville producers while recording their newly released CD.  This popular group of young people is on the cutting edge of the new old-time music sound.  Doug Spears is a native of Lake County.  His latest CD was #3 in worldwide radio play in January 2010

Tickets are $15 and made available through the Bay Street Players box office.  Call 352-357-7777 or go to EustisMainStreet.org and follow the “Order tickets on-line” link.  The performance time is 7:30pm, Friday May 21st.  The State Theatre is located at 109 N. Bay Street in downtown Eustis.

Proceeds from the event benefit Eustis Main Street’s Public Arts and Music (PAM) committee projects.  Since organizing in 2000, PAM volunteers have been the leaders in providing public art and music in the Eustis area.  In addition to the many pieces of public sculptures which were donated to the City, volunteers have worked with the Eustis Annual Sculpture program, now in its second year.  PAM also produces the annual “Arts in the Air” project in the historic downtown and the Lake County Folk Festival, a two-day music and art festival, each October.  Eustis Main Street, Inc. is a 501(c) 3 Charitable Organization formed in 1993 to organize and assist in the revitalization of downtown Eustis and its lakefront.

For further information about this event visit the website at www.eustismainstreet.org or contact Wayne Carter, Executive Director, Eustis Main Street, Inc. at (352) 357-8555, or director@eustismainstreet.org.

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‘Blues’ to bring joy to Mount Dora festival-goers

Lake County Tourism & Business Relations is excited to be a sponsor for the Second Annual Mount Dora Blues and Wine Festival slated for May 21-23 at Lakeside Inn, located at 100 N. Alexander St.

“Lake County Tourism & Business Relations is proud to sponsor the Mount Dora Blues and Wine Festival,” said Debi Dyer, Lake County Tourism Specialist. “The Blues and Wine Festival is another great event from Mount Dora that bolsters local tourism and enhances the quality of life for County residents.”

The festival kicks off on Friday from 5 to 8 p.m. with “Blues Brothers Imitators” T. Scott Walker and the Nightly Blues Band. During the “Jake & Elwood Blues Brothers contest,” guests can show up in their best Blues Brothers costume and take the stage for a chance to win a hotel weekend at Lakeside Inn.

Beautiful Bobby Blackmon entertains the crowd at last year’s Mount Dora Blues and Wine Festival.

On Saturday from 3 to 5 p.m., a free wine tasting event is scheduled at Lakeside Inn’s Tea Garden with national vineyards and local wine vendors, including Sebastiani Vineyards, The Cellar at Maggie’s Attic, The Wine Cellars and The Wine Den. The live entertainment continues on Saturday from 3 to 9 p.m. with the Shaun Rounds Band, T. Scott TropRockers Blues Band, Apple Mary’s Blues and Miss Jacqueline Jones (Queenie & the Blues Krewe).

From 12 to 3 p.m. on Sunday, festival concludes with Selwyn Birchwood & Deuces Wild with RJ Harmon on Harmonica, Beautiful Bobby Blackmon and Rent Money Blues Band Jam.

Three-day tickets are $48 in advance. At the door, Friday night tickets are $8, $36 on Saturday and $12 for Sunday. Festival-goers are encouraged to bring lawn chairs and blankets. For more information, call (352) 728-5250 or log on to mountdorabluesandwinefest.com.

For more information about Lake County vacations, call (800) 430-LAKE, log on to http://www.lakecountyfl.com or visit the Welcome Center, located at 20763 U.S. Highway 27 in Groveland.

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Sculptures ‘run free’ in Eustis

The Eustis Public Sculpture Program helps to build the art and culture image of the city by bringing in large pieces of artwork from professional and emerging artists. Featured artwork includes paintings, sculptures and contemporary pieces.

The public sculpture program featured one of its artists this week. The news release from the City of Eustis is below:

Featured Sculpture Artist:  Mindy Colton – “Renewal” and “Running Free”

Eustis, FL – Mindy Z. Colton grew up in New York City, received a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from Washington University in St. Louis, and now resides in East Orlando on her small horse farm where she maintains her studio. Her life-long love of horses and involvement with the equestrian community drives her passion to create equine art.

"Running Free" by Mindy Colton is located near the Fountain Green and is made of marine-grade aluminum.

“Horses, which have always represented grace, raw power, freedom, honesty and beauty to me are my muse and inspiration,” said Colton.  “Either capturing the essence, spirit and natural expression exhibited by horses, not just a realistic representation or using their image to elicit a feeling or mood, is essential to the work. In many pieces they are a metaphor, symbols for feelings, ideas and emotions.”

After a successful twenty-plus years as a professional graphic designer and art director, she turned her artistic focus to her love of fine art and sculpture.  “I strive to achieve an expressionistic, almost abstract figurative or symbolic work. Combining some pieces with different symbols helps me express other concepts and ideas that can make a dynamic and interesting sculpture that is more intimate and has a story to hopefully engage the viewer,” added Colton. 

Colton’s award-winning fine art, including paintings and sculpture, mixed media and photography, have been exhibited in solo and group shows in museums and galleries. Mindy’s sculptures are in public and private collections across the United States, Canada and Europe.  She is listed in “Women Artist’s of America II.” “Best of Artists” Top 100 Florida Artists,  First Place for Sculpture, “American Art Collector South East Edition, 2006”, “Best of Sculpture 2007”  and “American Art Collector”  2007-2010, and the International Juried Equine art book EX ARTE EQUINUS II.  For more information and to view Mindy Colton’s work, visit www.mindycolton.com

Sculptures featured in the 2009-2010 Eustis Public Sculpture Program are for sale throughout the exhibition, with a small percentage of the sale to return to the program. For more information or to purchase a featured sculpture, please call (352) 483-5430 or email hoonr@ci.eustis.fl.us

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Waterfront is open for business

The City of Tavares sent out a news release this month announcing the newest additions to Wooton Park in downtown Tavares.

Recently branding itself as the America’s Seaplane City, Tavares has invested millions in a Seaplane and Marina Base  in the Lake Dora waterfront area.

The news release from the City of Tavares is below:

TAVARES SEAPLANE BASE/MARINA HOURS OF OPERATIONS,

AVAILABILITY OF AVIATION AND MARINE FUEL FOR SALE,

BOAT SLIPS RENTAL LEASES AVAILABLE AND SPLASH PARK HOURS

The City of Tavares Seaplane Base/Marina at Wooton Park in downtown Tavares was opened on April 10, 2010.

Hours of operation for the Seaplane Base/Marina including the Ship’s Store and fuel sales for boats and seaplanes are established as follows: Monday – Friday and Sunday 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Saturday 8:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.

The Seaplane Base/Marina offers ethanol free 93 octane marine fuel and 100 octane low lead aviation fuel. Price will be set by the market.

The Seaplane Base/Marina also offers 40 slips available for monthly rental. The cost per month will be $7.00 per boat foot length and includes the availability of electric power and water at each slip. No live-aboards or overnight stays on the boats are permitted.

Further information on boat slip rentals can be obtained by calling the Seaplane Base/Marina at 352-742-6267.

The Ship’s Store at the Seaplane Base/Marina is an historical replica of the Woodlea House and provides a unique setting for the sale of food and sundry boat related necessities, as well as clothing and other marine and aviation related items.

The Children’s Splash Park is open April through October and the hours of operation are: Monday – Thursday 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Friday – Sunday 10:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. Splash Park Hours may be extended during the Summer months.

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Park rangers & Water Authority to guide paddling adventure on May 28

Lake County park rangers, in cooperation with the Lake County Water Authority, will lead a “Paddling Adventure” on Saturday, May 28, from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Lake Norris Conservation Area, located off County Road 44A in Eustis.

Paddlers will explore the Blackwater Creek of the Lake Norris Conservation Area discovering the beauty of the area while learning about blackwater systems and seeing different plants, birds and other wildlife.

Lake Norris is lined with cypress trees.

The St. Johns River Water Management District purchased this 2,228-acre property in 1996. Acquisition of this site provides protection for Lake Norris’ hardwood swamp and Blackwater Creek, a major tributary of the Wekiva River. The property’s uplands provide important habitat for blacks bear and gopher tortoises. The Water Authority entered into an agreement with the District to become the lead manager for this site and provide recreational opportunities.

Suggested items to bring include hat, waterproof shoes, water, snacks, insect repellent and waterproof cameras. Guides can provide participants with canoes or kayaks, life vests and paddles; however, participants are welcome to bring their own canoes and kayaks, life vests and paddles. Participants will be required to sign a liability waiver.
The free “Paddling Adventure” is limited to the first 15 vessels. To make reservations for the paddling adventure or for more information, call the Lake County Water Authority at (352) 343-3777.

For more information on 2010 events planned by the Lake County Parks & Trails Division, check out its new annual Events Guide, which is available online at www.lakecountyfl.gov, keyword: parks, or request a copy by calling Parks & Trails at (352) 253-4950.

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REMINDER: Lake County Welcome Center celebrates National Tourism Week tomorrow

To celebrate National Tourism Week, Lake County Tourism & Business Relations will host Lake County Tourism Day on Friday, May 14, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Lake County Welcome Center, located at 20763 U.S. Highway 27, Groveland.

Lake County residents and visitors are encouraged to attend this event, as it will include presentations by local tourism businesses, free handouts, refreshments and information about Lake County’s tourism industry. Tourism Day includes participation from the following businesses:

• A Hitch N’ Time in Mount Dora — Free carriage rides and information
• Central Florida Nature Adventures in Eustis — Kayaking presentation and display
• Land of Green Ginger Alpacas in Eustis — Alpacas will be available to pet and observe
• Segway of Central Florida in Mount Dora — Presentation of the Segways
• Showcase of Citrus in Clermont — Display available with samples and brochures
• World Wakeboard Center in Groveland — Display available with brochures
• Yalaha Country Bakery — Fresh-baked goods to sample

For more information about Lake County Tourism Day, call Debi Dyer at (352) 429-3673 or log on to www.lakecountyfl.com.

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Mission Inn continues unprecedented streak of hosting NCAA golf tourneys

For the 14^th consecutive year, Mission Inn Resort & Club, located at 10400 County Road 48 in Howey-in-the-Hills, will be hosting a NCAA golf championship with the 2010 NCAA Division III Women’s Golf Championships on May 11-14.

“Hosting 14 years of NCAA golf at any level, men’s and women’s, is an unprecedented streak throughout the country,” said  Sam Stark, President of the Central Florida Sports Commission.

Mission Inn Resort & Club is hosting the 2010 NCAA Division III Women’s Golf Championships on May 11-14

The championship features 20 teams (Methodist University, Gustavus Adolphus College, George Fox University, University of Wisconsin, Eau Claire, DePauw University, Williams College, Saint Mary’s College (Indiana), Illinois Wesleyan University, St. Lawrence University, Southwestern University in Texas, Olivet College, Otterbein College, Allegheny College, Centre College, Washington University in St. Louis, Whitworth University, Wartburg College, Franklin College, Schreiner University and Carroll University) and six individuals (Jessica Urban, University of Wisconsin, Stevens Point, Kimberly Eaton, Wellesley College, Flora Weeks, Middlebury College, Kathryn Hauff, College of St. Benedict, Stephanie Mingos, Rhodes College, and Leslie Lee, LeTourneau University).

Eleven conferences have been granted automatic qualification and the remaining nine teams were selected on an at-large basis from conferences and the remaining independent institutions. Six individuals, not from selected teams, also were selected for the championships. The championships consist of both team and individual competition conducted concurrently. The tournament consists of 72 holes of play over four days of competition. In the team competition, the low four scores from each team for each day will count in the team’s total score. The public is encouraged to attend the 2010 NCAA Division III Women’s Golf Championships, as admission is free.

“I congratulate and welcome the teams and individuals selected for the 2010 NCAA Division III Women’s Golf Championships,” said Greg Mihalic, Director of Lake County Tourism & Business Relations.

For more information about the 2010 NCAA Division III Women’s Golf Championships, call Jon Baran, Lake County Marketing Manager at the Central Florida Sports Commission, at 407-648-4900 ext. 21, e-mail jbaran@centralfloridasports.org or log on to www.lakecountysports.org. For more information about Lake County vacations, call (800) 430-LAKE, log on to www.lakecountyfl.com or visit the Welcome Center, located at 20763 U.S. Highway 27 in Groveland.

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Get on Your Dancing Shoes!

The Trout Lake Nature Center, located at 520 E. County Road 44 in Eustis, is hosting the Second Annual Old-Fashioned Barn Dance on Saturday, May 15, at 6:30 p.m.

The news release from the Trout Lake Nature Center is below:

Raisin’ the Roof at Trout Lake Nature Center

2^nd Annual, Old-fashioned Barn Dance

May 15^th – 6:30 PM

Come out and celebrate Spring and beautiful Trout Lake Nature Center. We all will be having such a great time it will seem like the building is dancing.

Music by Chirps Smith & Dave Landreth & Bill Paine with dance calling by Dot Kent *.

You are all welcome to come and participate or watch and listen.

One needs not to worry about dancing abilities or having a partner, only to have spring-loving attitude and enjoyment of fiddle tunes. We promise you’ll smile till your face hurts.

Schedule:

6:30 – Potluck @ 7:15 – Music & dancing @ 9:15 – Song circle

*Dot Kent calls dances that get folks up and moving to the music, leading traditional and fun dances including circles, lines, contras and squares.

Lynn “Chirps” Smith learned much of his repertoire of fiddle tunes from old-timers, such as Harvey “Pappy” Taylor and Noah Beavers, who learned many fiddle tunes before the advent of radio and records. 

Dave Landreth is one of the most sought after banjo players in the Midwest.  He also teaches all levels of banjo at the St. Louis Folk School in St Louis, Mo.

Bill Paine, mandolin player. Bill’s primary focus in old-time music is playing for dancers. He composes dance tunes on the mandolin. Bill teaches old-time mandolin and backup guitar in the Gainesville, FL area.

You won’t want to miss them.

Donations are always appreciated and will benefit Trout Lake Nature Center.

Call 357-7536 for more information and directions.

Sponsored by: TLNC & Lake Eustis Folk, 3^rd Saturday Concert Series

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