More Ghost Walk

Mount Dora Ghost Walk, A lantern led tour of the shadowy streets

and alleys of Old Mount Dora April 3^rd & 4^th 8pm & 9pm

Mount Dora Ghost Walk will be offering its 1 hour lantern led walking tour of Old Mount Dora on Friday April 3^rd and Saturday April 4^th with tours at 8:00pm & 9:00pm.. The tour is preceded by a mini theatrical performance of Dr. Nutter’s Keyhole Vortex saga followed by a 1 hour lantern led narrated ghost walk searching the streets, back alleys and buildings of Old Mount Dora that are told to possess ghosts, apparitions and spirits of those long departed. Combining an historical account of the history of the beginnings of downtown Mount Dora with the tales and legends of some scary ghostly encounters told to us by those who have witnessed these eerie happenings.

You will encounter our newest ghost, Priscilla Beauclaire who will regale you with the eerie tale of the Mount Dora Women’s Hospital. Other stops include Dora Drawdy Lane, the Lakeside Inn, the Renaissance Building, and the infamous Dr. Nutter House , You will encounter a history with a lot of mystery and please bring your cameras to capture images of ghosts if you dare. Experience the bizarre personas of your tour guides: Dieter Torquemada, Jacqueline Katerwaulina Hyde and Rigorio Mortisimo.

Ghost Walks originate from the Mount Dora History Museum located at 450 Royellou Lane between 4^th & 5^th Avenues and between Donnelly & Baker Streets. Tours last about 1 hour and 15 minutes and cover about 3/4 miles of walking and some hills.

Tickets are $10 for over 12 years of age and $8.00 under 12, tickets available by calling 352-308-9734 or email mountdoraghostwalk@yahoo.com or visit our website at www.mountdoraghostwalk.com. Please give your name, number of attendees, desired date & time. Reservations are required.

Free lecture on "The Body Talk System", in Mount Dora

Attend a free lecture about the scientifically proven therapy known as "The Body Talk System".

Location: Gematria 888 at 2734 Old US Highway 441 in Mount Dora.
Time: April 29th at 7:30pm.

Contact Cathy Burdette at 954-934-6929 for more information.

Change the way you look at health care forever!

click on the poster image for all the details....

Antique & Trades Fair this weekend.

This weekend marks the 13th annual Antique & Trades Fair in Downtown Mount Dora. Nearly 100 vendors will be displaying their treasures so come on out and enjoy the shopping and other activities on Saturday and Sunday.

Bring canned goods to donate to Lake Cares and have a chance to win a gift basket with over $800.00 in gifts from Downtown Merchants. The gift basket will be on display at the show.

See you on the street.

7th Annual Dragon Boat Festival

The Rotary Club of Tavares
Proudly Presents
The 7th Annual Dragon Boat Festival
Coming April 3 & 4, 2009

Mount Dora Village Merchant's & Business Association Play, Shop & Stay campaign on TV.

Mount Dora in "The Great Towns of America"

Excerpt from "The Great Towns of America" website...

"Mt. Dora is the prettiest inland village of Florida. Gentle hills (some of the state’s highest) rise above scenic Lake Dora. Numerous other small lakes, plus citrus orchards and forests of hardwoods and pine, fill the surrounding semitropical countryside. From the earliest settlement well over a century ago, the town has grown slowly but steadily thanks to citrus and tourism."

Mount Dora is the featured town in the David and Joan Vokac book, "The Great Towns of America" website. Follow this link to see the story.
http://www.GreatTowns.com/florida/mountdora/

Mount Dora Ghost Walk Update...

Mount Dora Historical Society’s Ghost Walk will be on Friday the 13th, Friday the 20th & Saturday the 21st with 3 tours at 6:30, 7:30 & 8:30pm.

Each tour begins with a 10 minute Marionette show and a 10 minute interactive theatrical performance which is followed by a 1 hour lantern led narrated walking ghost walk searching the streets, back alleys and buildings of Old Mount Dora that are told to possess ghosts, apparitions and spirits of those long departed.

Your Victorian dressed tour guide walks you on a historical account of the history of the beginnings of Mount Dora with legends and stories of those long departed. Stops including Dora Drawdy Lane, the Lakeside Inn, the Renaissance Building, The Women’s Hospital and the infamous Dr. Nutter House. Bring your camera to capture the historic buildings and capture the energy of Orb’s and Apparitions.

Ghost Walks originate from the Mount Dora History Museum located at 450 Royellou Lane between 4^th & 5^th Avenues and between Donnelly & Baker Streets. Tours last about 1 hour and 15 minutes and cover about 3/4 miles of walking and some big hills. Tours and Marionette shows in Spanish and for the deaf tours are offered but with minimum of a 1 week notice.

Tickets are $10 for over 12 years of age and $8.00 under 12, tickets available by calling 352-308-9734 or email mountdoraghostwalk@yahoo.com or visit our website at www.mountdoraghostwalk.com. Please give your name, number of attendees, desired date & time and someone will contact you on a 1^st come 1^st serve bases. Reservations are required. Cash or Check only, wheelchair accessible, lots of walking & hills involved.

See you on the walk....

Great Package deals at the Lakeside Inn

Health & Fitness Retreat -- The ultimate girlfriend getaway!

April 5 – October 5, 2009

4-Night Spa Package (Sunday through Thursday) - $799 plus tax, per person

$629 plus tax for each additional person in room

May 29 – October 5, 2009

7-Night Spa Package (Friday through Thursday) - $1199 plus tax, per person

$959 plus tax for each additional person in room

For details and more information, see our Event Packages page

Our "girl" on The Dogs of Mount Dora website.

Most beloved breed in Japan

Soyala (Allie). Shiba Inu. Almost 3 years old

Her name is Soyala, the Hopi Indian word for the winter solstice which falls on December 21, the day Brian and Rachelle got her. They call her Allie for short. Each day when Brian and Rachelle arrive home, Allie begins to yodel. She’s a walker, as long as it’s flat. Come to a hill, and she insists on being carried up. Allie’s favorite toy is a soccer ball which she’ll jump high in the air to catch. When it’s time to rest, she snuggles up on their pillows. Favorite food: peanut butter and carrots. 2006 is the Japanese Year of the Dog and this year’s dog is a Shiba Inu, just like Allie.

Is your dog and it's story on The Dogs of Mount Dora website? Visit the website and see many of Mount Dora's furry residents. The place to visit for all things "dog" in Mount Dora.

Rachelle & Brian

Country Charm...

My friend Judy from my ballroom dance days back in Orlando came up to Mount Dora for her birthday this month. She had never been to Downtown Mount Dora so I took her on a little tour. We didn't get too far before she wandered into Linda's Country Charm on the corner of 5th Ave. and Donnelly. She could have died and gone to heaven it seemed.

I am not much of a shopper but I did get a kick out of taking photos of Judy making her way down every single aisle of the store. She has a love for all things "cat" and Linda has a number of cat related items in her shop in addition to a million other trinkets. Even after passing each aisle at least twice Judy made plans to return in the morning after brunch. Truly a dedicated shopper!

So guys, bring your cameras and let the ladies do their shopping.

Brian

Mount Dora Merchants & Business Assn. Press Release for Antiques & Trades Fair

Mount Dora's Annual Antique & Trade Fair ~ Where you can Drop, Shop & Win

The Mount Dora Village Merchants & Business Association is proud to sponsor its upcoming 13th Annual Antique & Trade Fair scheduled for Saturday & Sunday, March 28 & 29 from 9am-5pm.

"We're excited to host this year's event", said Terry Abbott, the Association's Promotions & Events Committee Chairman, "we've got lots of great dealers joining us this year, many of whom have participated in our past events. We'll see the historic downtown streets come alive with this two-day event, which will also feature live musical entertainment the Friday evening before the event, as well as Saturday evening. It's sure to be a great weekend for both our residents and visitors to shop and play in our great town."

At this event, the Association will be accepting canned & dry food donations for one of our newest community groups, "Lake Cares", a food bank now serving the Lake County area. "We recognize the growing needs in our community during these challenging economic times", said Leigh Love, President of the Association, "and we are pleased to have the opportunity to accept donations on behalf of this worthwhile group during our event."

Debra Paradis, Lake Cares Board President, encourages our attendees that donate at our show to tape a quarter to your canned or dry food donation. Paradis says, "with your monetary donation, we can buy up to nine times in food value with our purchasing power". The Association will be accepting both food and monetary donations for Lake Cares at the Antique & Trade Welcome Tent, located in the center of the fair on Donnelly & Fourth Streets.

Show attendees that donate to Lake Cares will automatically be entered into the Association's Antique & Trade Fair Raffle; all others can purchase a ticket to win for $1. The winner of this raffle will receive a gift basket valued at up to $500 worth of Mount Dora merchants goods & services and will be announced at the conclusion of the event on Sunday, March 29th at 5pm.

For more information on the 2009 13th Annual Mount Dora Antique & Trade Fair, please call 1-866-683-6722 or visit our website at www.mtdora.org. The Mount Dora Village Merchants & Business Association is a non-profit organization whose purpose is to publicize the city of Mount Dora through advertising, promotions & local events.

For more information on Lake Cares, Inc., a not for profit 501(c)(3) organization, please contact Debra Paradis at (352) 552-3833 or 2001 W. Old Highway #441, Ste. #1, Mount Dora, FL 32757.

Mount Dora Village Merchants & Business Association

Contact: Brian Young, Secretary

Address: PO Box 378

Mount Dora, FL 32756

PH: (321) 948-3621

www.mtdora.org

Thundering Spirit Pow Wow Highlights.

In spite of the weather conditions many thousands showed up for the weekend Pow Wow event. Catch the highlights in the Daily Commercial Article. Click here for the Daily Commercial Article.

Robb Tolvo Hair Design

A familiar face in a new place. Robb is now open for business at 325 S. Highland St. in the Uptown District next to Baker Joe's. Give him a call at 352-735-3500 for your next appointment. Brian

Hot Rods & Speed

I can always count on my friend Maranda to do something adventerous and out of the ordinary with me ... like two chicks going to the "Museum of Speed" to look at muscle cars. And I thought I would have had a chance to see this with my Cousin Shawn who I grew up with playing with match box cars and to this day could probably take apart an engine and rebuild it. But he wanted to check out Millennia Mall instead. Go figure. The boy wanted to shop, and my girl wanted to look at cars.

Check it out on Highland Street. Nice collection.

Museum of Speed in the Miami Examiner.

Rachelle

Leprechuan Treasure Hunt

City of Mount Dora Parks and Recreation Department --

Presents:

Leprechaun Treasure Hunt

Come and join the City of Mount Dora Parks and Recreation Dept for a St. Patrick's Day celebration for all your little leprechauns on Saturday, March 14th, 2009 from 10:00 a.m. until 12:00 noon at Gilbert Park. There will be a mountain of gold to find, prizes, face painting, snacks and drinks. Admission is FREE and children 12 and under are welcome.

Take your dog to the D.o.r.a. Dog Park today.

The City of Mount D.o.r.a. Dog Park

(dog off-leash recreation area)

Location: east end of 11th Avenue
just beyond the Ice House Theater

Hours: Dawn to Dusk

Fenced with double-gated entry

Separate areas for
large, medium and small dogs

Water station with bowls

Waste stations with bags supplied

Benches for humans

Mount Dora in the News...

Mount Dora keeps place among top towns in U.S.

Click here to see the Mount Dora article in the Orlando Sentinel.

11th Annual Pig on the Pond event.

More than 20,000 people are expected to attend the 11th Annual Pig on the Pond event in Clermont, Fla., on March 13 and 14, 2009. For families and local barbecue connoisseurs the event is an opportunity to socialize at the city’s Waterfront Park, but for 30 professional barbecue teams it is all business.

For more information about the 11th Annual Pig on the Pond, call (352) 516-7771, e-mail pigonthepond@earthlink.net or log on to www.pigonthepond.org.

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Antiques Boat Festival.

March 26 - 29, 2009
Antique Boat Festival
Over 325 antique, classic and historic boats are on display at the southeast's largest event.
Location: Wooten Park, Tavares
Times: 9am to 5pm Thursday-Saturday, 9am to 1 pm Sunday
For more information: www.acbs-sunnyland.com

Introducing "WhatToDoInVenice.com".

When you are in the mood for some time at the beach check out our newest venture in Venice, FL.

www.WhatToDoInVenice.com

Antiques & Trades Fair.

The 70+ members of the Mount Dora Village
Merchants & Business Association proudly
present:

March 28 - 29, 2009
13th Annual Antiques & Trades Fair
Join us as our downtown streets come alive with antiques and collectibles dealers displaying their treasures for show and sale. It's a fun two-day, open-air event, with historic Mount Dora as a backdrop, and hosting thousands of visitors. Bring the family, wear comfortable shoes, and get ready to shop 'til you drop!
Location: Downtown Streets of Mount Dora
Times: Sat 9 - 5, Sun 9 - 5
Contact: Mount Dora Village Merchants & Business Association
Phone: 352-735-1191

Artists wishing to reserve space for a booth can email: contact@mtdora.org

If you want a modern, state of the art workout right in Downtown Mount Dora, visit Vicki at:

On The Run Fitness
301 N. Baker Street
Mount Dora, FL 32757
(352) 729-2150
Vicki Steuben

Art of the Women of Lake County

This past weekend launched the month long "Art of the Women of Lake County" art exhibit at the W.T. Bland Public Library. The exhibition will extend from March 3rd through March 31st.

This show features 26 women artists from the local area. See the "Portraits in Oils" by Kathryn Bowden and the original fine art of Jeanine Jones, and many, many more.

Artwork will be on display the entire month of March. Call 352-735-7180 for more information.

Mount Dora in the Herald Tribune...

Mount Dora made the news in a Florida West Coast newspaper. Visit the Herald Tribune online to see the article.

www.HeraldTribuneOnline.com

http://www.heraldtribune.com/article/20090307/ARTICLE/903070375

Thomas Kinkade Share the Light Tour

Brought to you by Patrick's Fine Art, A Thomas Kinkade Signature Gallery.

Meet Thomas Kinkade in person as he stops here in Mt. Dora as part of his Share the Light Tour.

Patrick's Fine Art, Thomas Kinkade Signature Gallery cordially invites you to attend The Thomas Kinkade Share the Light Tour featuring Thomas Kinkade in person.

Date: Saturday, March 21, 2009

Time: 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM

Place: First Baptist Church Family Ministry Center, 1000 E. 1st Street, Mount Dora, Florida

RSVP: Patrick's Fine Art - 352-385-1040

Fashion Show and Garden Tea

March 21, 2009

11:00a and 3:00p seatings

Limited Seats available and going fast!

$25.00pp includes show, delicious eats, and tea

Tickets available at either The Secret Garden or The Garden Gate Tea Room

Event will be held under a beautiful tent in the Wedding Garden at The Garden Gate Tea Room.

The Cellar at Tavares presents T. Scott Walker & Greg "Fingers" Taylor

For two shows only on Friday, March 6th at 7pm and 9pm. Only $10.00 per person which includes one beer or glass of wine from "house selections".

Don't miss Florida Monthly Magazine "Entertainer of the Year" T. Scott Walker well known for his tropical flair side by side with an original "Coral Reefer" band member still touring with Jimmy Buffett, Greg "Fingers" Taylor.

VIP seating is still available. Contact:
The Cellars at Tavares
124 S. Joanna Ave.
Tavares, FL 32778
352-383-5451
cellarmaster@thecellarattavares.com

A BIG Thumbs Up to the Mount Dora Bed & Breakfast group to be able to host small events!

There sure is a lot of mis-information flying around about the initiative put forward by the B&B group to be able to host birthday parties, small intimate weddings and wine tasting dinners. Many residents have been led to believe that the B&B group wants to become a large event venue like Lake Receptions or Lakeside Inn and forget room night revenue all together. None of this is true and is easily verifiable by checking with City Council and/or Planning & Zoning who consistently refer to the B&B proposal as "reasonable" and "well presented".

Existing Fire Codes and Regulations assure that a B&B can only host a small number of folks at any one time. If you are really interested then collect the facts and make an intelligent decision based on those facts and not the rampant mis-information being spread about as truth by some opponents!

So if you want to go to another fabulous wine dinner at a B&B, have your birthday party at a B&B or get married in an intimate B&B setting then lend your support to the B&B group now! Email your City Council person and let them know.

To see the recent Orland Sentinel Article please click on the link below:
Orlando Sentinel Article

Kayaking with the Manatees...

Have you ever wanted to get "up close and personal" with one of the most endangered species in the world? Just an hour's drive from Mount Dora is Homosassa Springs, winter home of hundreds of these gentle giants. This is one of the few places you may actually swim with and interact with these fabulous creatures.

Rachelle and I recently had the opportunity to visit the springs with some of our Mount Dora friends. Check out the lastest video posted on Innside Story.

"Click Here"
Video Blog

Brian

New Spa at the Historic Lakeside Inn...

New spa services at the Lakeside Inn. Check out the Orlando Sentinel Article.

This Historic Landmark is celebrating it's 125th year in operation.