Mosquitoes are topic of nature center program
Trout Lake Nature Center, 520 E. County Road 44, Eustis, will have its monthly naturalist program at 6:30 p.m. July 19. The topic is Mosquitoes of Lake County. Guest speakers Wayne Harrell and Justin Walker, from Lake County’s Mosquito Management District will discuss the familiar biting species of the insect, along with others that are pollinators and an integral part of the food chain.
The program is free, but entry to Trout Lake is $5 per vehicle.
Details: troutlakenaturecenter.com.
Volunteer at bird and butterfly survey
Volunteers are welcome to participate in a quarterly bird and butterfly survey at Pasture Reserve in Groveland at 7:30 a.m. July 13.
Staff from Lake County’s Parks and Trails division will lead the survey. Participants should wear appropriate clothing for summer weather and bring water. The reserve is located at 5144 Lake Erie Road.
Details: Gallus Quigley at 352-253-4950 or [email protected].
Love books? Join club at library
The Fruitland Park Book Club will meet from 10 a.m. to noon July 15 at the Fruitland Park Public Library, 604 W. Berckman St. Area book lovers are welcome to attend.
Details: 352-360-6561.
Vacation Bible schools in Leesburg, Mount Dora, Clermont
— Grace Bible Baptist Church, 1703 Lewis Road, Leesburg, will have its annual Vacation Bible School from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. July 15-19 for children in kindergarten through 6th grade. This year’s theme is Scuba: Diving into Friendship with God. Pre-registration is requested.
Details and registration: myvbs.org/gracebible or 352-326-5738.
— First United Methodist Church of Mount Dora’s annual Vacation Bible School will take place from 9 a.m. to noon July 15-18 for age 3 through fifth grade. This year’s theme is Celebrate the Savior. The church is located at 439 E. Fifth Ave.
Details and registration: 352-383-2005 or [email protected].
— Clermont Baptist Church, 16115 Old Highway 50, will host its annual Vacation Bible School for children ages 4 to 11 from 6 to 8 p.m. July 17-19, and 10 a.m. to noon July 20, immediately followed by Family Day with water activities until 2 p.m.
This year’s theme is Camp Firelight. Graduation Sunday is at 10:30 a.m. July 21.
Details and registration: 352-242-0919.
— Better Life Worship Center will have its annual Vacation Bible School from 6 to 8:30 p.m. July 22-26 for ages 3 to 12. This year’s theme is Camp Firelight. The church is located at 332 Mohawk Road, Clermont.
Details and registration: betterlifeworship.com.
Play bingo at library
The Umatilla Public Library, 412 Hatfield Drive, will host bingo games at 2 p.m. July 16 for for seniors and other adults. Small prizes will be awarded. The program is free and open to the public.
Details: Amy Stultz at 352-669-3284 or [email protected].
Online forum explains conservation easements
The Lake County Conservation Council, Inc. is sponsoring an online forum on Using Conservation Easements to Secure a Wildlife Corridor at 5:30 p.m. July 17 via Zoom.
Chelsea Wisner, an ecologist and land protection manager for Conservation Florida, a nonprofit founded in 1999, is the slated guest speaker.
Conservation Florida’s mission includes protecting Florida’s wildlife corridor and freshwater supply. To join the forum, go to: us02web.zoom.us/j/81067732422.
Details: Jane at 352-250-6771.
Free back to school physicals in Eustis
First Presbyterian Church of Eustis will have its annual free back to school physicals event for area students from 9 a.m. to noon July 20 at the church, 117 S. Center St.
Registration is required, walk-ins will not be allowed.
Details and registration: fpceustis.com.
Fiesta de las Americas at Leesburg mall
The second annual Fiesta de las Americas, sponsored by the Hispanics of Lake County Association, will take place from 4 to 8 p.m. July 20 at Lake Square Mall, 10401 U.S. Highway 441, Leesburg.
The event will celebrate the cultures of North, Central and South America, including foods, dances and clothing.
Details: Roland Nunez at 352-432-8589.
Learn to design native plant yards
The Lake Beautyberry Chapter of the Florida Native Plant Society will host a program on How to Design an Appealing Native Plant Yard, with guest speaker Amanda Martin, a horticulturist and past president of the society’s Tarflower Chapter.
The event is at 1:30 p.m. July 21 at the W.T. Bland Public Library, 1995 N. Donnelly St., Mount Dora, and is free and open to the public.
Details: 321 578-0671.
Military collector show in Mount Dora
The Florida Military Collector Show will take place from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. July 13 at Renninger’s Antique Center, 20651 U.S. Highway 441, Mount Dora.
The show is one of the largest in the southeast and features more than 100 tables of military collectibles, and free appraisals. There is no admission charge and parking is free.
Details: 352-383-8393 or [email protected]
Learn about summer stars at nature center
Trout Lake Nature Center will host The Stars of Summer program, detailing what stars are visible in the night sky during the summer months in Florida, at 1:30 p.m. July 13.
Led by Mike Ryan, the retired planetarium director for Lake County Schools, the workshop will include stories of the constellations. Each participant will receive a star chart to take home and continue learning.
The Center is located at 520 E. County Road 44, Eustis. Entry fee is $5 per vehicle, but TLNC members get in free.
Details: troutlakenaturecenter.com.
Elections supervisor discusses misinformation in politics
Lake County Supervisor of Elections D. Alan Hays will discuss the Dangers of Misinformation in Politics from 10 to 11 a.m. July 14 at the Universalist Congregation of Lake County at 1235 Mount Homer Road, Eustis.
The event is free and open to the public and was originally scheduled for June 23. Before being elected to his present position in 2016, Hays served in the Florida Legislature for 12 years, first as a representative and then as a senator.
Details: 352-250-6771.
AARP Smart Driver courses
A two-day, six-hour AARP Driver Safety program, Smart Driver course, which helps participants refine their skills and develop safer and smarter driving habits, will take place from 9 a.m. to noon July 16 and 18 at the Allen Harden Funeral Home, 1800 N. Donnelly St., Mount Dora, and from 1 to 4 p.m. July 29 and 31 at the Leesburg Senior Center, 1211 Penn St.
Drivers ages 50 and up may be eligible for insurance discounts upon completion of the course. The cost is $20 for AARP members and $25 for nonmembers, which includes workbooks and a completion certificate. Payment must be made by check to AARP. No cash or credit cards will be accepted.
Details and registration call Ed at 305-216-2283 or Bob at 407-415-7932.
Eustis library programs
The Eustis Memorial Library, 120 N. Center St., is sponsoring a photography contest and seeking submissions of Eustis landmarks from area residents through Aug. 1.
The library will post the photos on its Facebook page, and professionally print, in poster-sized frames, the 12 pictures most “liked,” and display them in the library. To submit a photo, go to eustismemoriallibrary.org.
Details: 352-357-5686.
Ages 50-over men’s softball league seeks players
The Lakes League Men’s Softball League for ages 50 and over plays at 9 a.m. on Thursdays at Pear Park, 26701 U.S. Highway 27 in Leesburg.
Interested players should email [email protected].
Summer Olympics opening ceremonies watch party
The Orlando Health National Training Center in Clermont is sponsoring a watch party for the opening ceremonies of the Summer Olympics in Paris from noon to 5 p.m. July 26 at 1935 Don Wickham Drive.
The free event will include snacks, prizes and more. Attendees are encouraged to represent the USA by wearing red, white and blue attire or choose any color that represents the country they are cheering on this year.
Details: [email protected].
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