TRENDING

Spotlighting the best of local people, places, and events

Happy Landings

An old airport gained new life from new owners, Jon and Darlene Osborne. The former Klinger Airport had grass strips for crop dusters. After the citrus freeze in the 80s, there was no more need for them. The Osbornes purchased it to have a home with an airstrip for their plane. They have plans to build hanger space so local pilots can house their planes nearby.

Spotlighting the best of local people, places, and events

Horsin’ Around

It’s probably safe to say that at one time horse and buggies ran the “streets” of Mount Dora.

While those days have long passed, horse-drawn carriage rides have returned to downtown Mount Dora.

Equine Villas, a horse farm and carriage business located in Howey-in-the-Hills, began providing the rides in October. It’s a family-owned business ran by Lorenzo Morizio, his wife Renee Davenport, and their 16-year-old daughter Serena Morizio.

While they don’t have set days and hours as of yet, Renee says they are usually downtown offering rides at 5 p.m. on the second Friday of each month. However, they plan to be in Mount Dora more often during tourist season.

Carriage rides start at $35 for 15 minutes for up to four people. Riders can listen to music during the tour, or they enjoy the passing scenery in silence. The experience is customizable.

The staging area for rides is on Fourth Avenue between Donnelly and Alexander streets. For more information, call 407.234.0253.

Flora Call and Elias Disney, the parents of Walt Disney, were married in Lake County.

According to a 2011 Orlando Sentinel article, Lake County had been an offi cial county for only seven months when it issued its fi rst marriage license to Disney and Call. The wedding took place on New Year’s Day 1888 inside a small church in the now ghost town of Kismet, which is near presentday Paisley.

City Sidewalks, Busy Sidewalks

Transplanted urbanites and joy walkers alike rejoice—sidewalks are coming to town! The Lake County Public Works Department is building sidewalks as part of the LakeSumter Metropolitan Planning Organization’s (MPO) Safe Access to Schools initiative and the Countywide Sidewalk Program. Those completed are along Eudora Road and in the Sylvan Shores neighborhood near Mount Dora. The sidewalks serve not only students, but also LakeXpress bus riders and residents walking to businesses residents walking to businesses along U.S. Highway 441. alongUSHighway441 along U.S. Highway 441.

SAVING FLORIDA’S OWN

WFTV Channel 9 recently honored Clermont resident, Cathy Brown, for her work in protecting the habitat of the scrub-jays, birds found only in Florida. Brown, who is co-owner of B.B. Brown’s Gardens, was recognized as a volunteer who is intent on making the outdoors livable for all species. As a part of a program in cities all over the country, Cox Conserves honors local unsung heroes.

Everything Old is New Again

Barnes & Noble recently celebrated Vinyl Day in their stores nationwide, commemorating the rebirth of vinyl records and music. Chuck Gorman, vice president of music and DVDs, pointed out that vinyl never really went away. “What we’re seeing now is customers gravitating back to it because it offers a more authentic and warmer sound, as well as fantastic artwork and a unique collectability factor.”

Those who used to lie on their beds listening to 45s and LPs from The Beatles, Elvis, and The Rolling Stones could have told him that.

1 // A WILD MONKEY WAS RECENTLY

SPOTTED atop the roof of The Villages Elementary School of Lady Lake. Noticing that the animal seemed to have an angry demeanor, students appropriately named it “Furious George.”

2 // LAKE COUNTY’S LONGSTANDING

PENNY SALES TAX passed by receiving 71 percent of the vote during an election in November. It’s about time Lake County voters banded together and made some cents; however, opponents won’t get the “change” they desired.

3 // A HILARIOUS TRIBUTE TO THE

CHANGE OF LIFE, “Menopause the Musical: The Survivor Tour” was recently presented at the Clermont Performing Arts Center. Audiences praised the show for its comedic brilliance, but some were disappointed that it was over in a fl ash.

4 // LEESBURG FIRE RESCUE RECENTLY

EXTINGUISHED a fi re inside a restroom at Venetian Gardens. Apparently, the suspect lit a large roll of paper towels. The fact that the arsonist committed this cowardly act in a public restroom is a clear sign that his life is going down the crapper.

5 // LAKE COUNTY’S MANDATORY

SEASONAL WATERING

RESTRICTIONS are in effect until March 13. Tread lightly, because if you don’t follow rules and regulations you’ll be in deep water.

6 // A LAKE COUNTY WOMAN IS

FACING CHARGES after arriving at a local elementary school drunk to pick up her children. Much like a bottle of Corona, she appears to be empty from the neck up.