Another week has moved by and with it a sick car to add to the fun….what a week.  But anyway—-wanted to mention something interesting to do:

9/4/18

9-4 PM

LAKE LADY MUSEUM

107 S. Old Dixie Hwy

Lady Lake, FL. 32159

www.ladylakemuseum.org

ladylakemuseum@gmail.com

Will be paying tribute to the

Lady Lake Train Depot

135 Years and still standing

and it’s amazing history!

GRAND RE-OPENING EXHIBITIONS

To include

Several honored guests

Live entertainment

Vendors & Food Truck

Giveaways

he downtown area overlooks Lake Dora. Mount Dora is home to one of three freshwater lighthouses in Florida. It hosts many monthly festivals and is known as the “Festival City.

Wikipedia

This week we have reached our goal and will note the large and the small of a little town called Mount Dora.

We’ve returned from our side trip to Amish Delis and the like and have turned back on Highland—If you turn left on First you’ll see the entry to parking for our next stop on our right almost immediately:

https://www.thecrystalcloset.com

I originally visited this store when it was on First Street in Sanford—now its on the corner of First and Highland in Mount Dora—-It has a lovely piece of land and if you are into crystals, or any manner of new age items this is a great place to visit….they also have a regular calendar of events so if that sounds good just check out their web site for more information.

The Crystal Closet is closed at this location until Sep 14, 2018

Now return to Highland (left when you leave parking lot and then left again at the light Highland…the next spot is something–place entirely different:

A laid-back, relaxing getaway just an hour from Orlando, Mount Dora offers you the pleasure of Old Florida country living. Lakes, quiet country inns, shops, an old railroad station, a buffet of tasty dining options – all are within steps of each other in Mount Dora. The small-town environment caters particularly to antique enthusiasts from across the state, country and world. Shops in and around Mount Dora’s downtown area are full of nostalgic items, valuable antiques and collectibles, and even estate jewelry. Outdoor cafes, gourmet restaurants, galleries, wineries, and bed and breakfast inns also grace Mount Dora’s downtown area.

Visit Florida

 

And if you’ve worked up an appetite—-check out the restaurant on the left side of Highland—-

Continuing on Highland next point of interest is

info@villageantiquemall.com

20th year in business:  home to more than 60 antique vendors located in one 12,000 square-foot air-conditioned building!   They have:

Antique furniture

Fine & vintage costume jewelry

Lighting

Garden iron & decor

Shabby chic

Glassware

American art pottery

Pocket watches

Knives

Books

Asian antiques

Nostalgia

Retro items

The Historic Lakeside Inn, Located in the Heart of the Mount Dora Historic District, Overlooking Lake Dora, Opened in 1883, is the Oldest Continuously Operated Hotel in the State of Florida.

As one passes through the stone entry gates one quickly enters an unique place, distinct from any other Florida destination. Viewing the beautifully landscaped grounds and the collection of cheery yellow and white buildings, all overlooking Lake Dora, one is aware instantly of the historic significance of this classic and lovely Inn.

When you finish shopping  turn onto Highland again

On the right—if need a drink

But only if you’re not driving:

 Despite the name they are a full service craft bar with 23 drafts craft beers a full selection of wine, mead, ciders, and hard soda.

Hungry now

Just across 5th Ave.

• 500 Highland St,
• Mount Dora, FL 32757
• (352) 383-7444
• Cuisine: America

• Sunday through Thursday:
  11AM – 9PM

  Friday and Saturday:
  11AM – 10PM

and more drinks right next door

the don’t drink and drive kind

McGregor’s

Monday through Saturday:
4PM – 2AM

Sunday:
12PM – 2AM

Mcgregors

Well I’m back and so are you and we’re almost to Mt. Dora a fun place to visit

So let’s get going

\

One of the prettiest town in Florida, Mount Dora is a storybook village of gingerbread…lakeside inns and 19th-century ambience.  The downtown  sector boasts brick and wrought iron structures, New England touches, one of the state’s poudest antique store districts and a mountainous Florida elevation of 184′.  Stop at the…Chamber of Commerce (341 Alexander Street) housed in a restored railroad station, for a guide to the area’s…shops and historic homes.

Hidden Florida

Ray Reigert Editor

Beaded Necklace 11″ Drop Navy Blue Beads w/Gold-Tone Spacers Vintage

Item ID: 263896891281

$4.99 Buy It Now

https://www.ebay.com/itm/263896891281

Antique Center Hours

Friday: 10 am to 4 pm
Saturday and Sunday: 9 am to 5 pm

Consignment Center Hours

Friday: 10 am to 4 pm
Saturday and Sunday: 9 am to 5 pm

Located on 117 acres of scenic, rolling land in beautiful Lake County, the heart of Central Florida; amid spreading oaks, garlands of Spanish moss waving gently from their branches, you will find Renninger’s Twin Markets in Mt. Dora. Two large buildings and a number of open-air shopping areas house a wide variety of dealers from produce stands, clothing shops, and oddity vendors, to high-quality antiques and collectibles.

Renninger’s Twin Markets are also home to a large number of special events including antique fairs and extravaganzas, Cars and Guitars shows and swap meets, vintage garden shows, and much, much more.  Check at this site for the upcoming events to better plan your visit

https://renningers.net/index.php/special-events/month.calendar/2018/09/24/-

Housed downtown in the old city firehouse and jail block, Royellou Museum

between 4th and 5th Aves—on the Alley before Donnelly.

Hidden Florida

If you continue awhile more on Highland you’ll come to

Mount Dora Golf Club

http://www.mountdoragolf.com/

•  1100 S Highland St,
• Mount Dora, FL 32757

Otherwise once you’re finished check out these two very different food (and deli) places turn back the way you came on S. Highland.

Ming #A130 Show Stoppers 20″ Porcelian Doll With Stand

Item ID: 263896902603

$20.76 Buy It Now

https://www.ebay.com/itm/263896902603

Ok I’ve been gone again —-now working and I mean working—-All on the computer and I have been wandering away on the weekend—-but I have still been lax in my duties, so hopefully this time I’ll be able to return to regular entries.

I’d also like to welcome all the new subscribers—many of whom I’ve met in my wandering and encourage you to try the Diva’s ramblings and those of you who were not put off by the talky OLDER lady and who were kind enough to listen, I hope you enjoy my ramblings.

THIS IS 8/25-28, 2018  next weekend

The City of Mount Dora is proud to play host to the 4^th Annual Village Marketplace Seafood Festival, presented by Visit Mount Dora, the last weekend of August!   The Seafood festival will be August 25-26 at Simpson Cove  in Mount Dora.  It is two days of fresh seafood and specialty food items to sample and enjoy.  This year, there will be more than 100 vendors, a kids zone and even be Pirate Parties at Magical Meat and Pisces Rising!  Live music will be playing all weekend with a free concert Saturday night.

Wooden Shadow Box with small hanger and Glass Hinged top

$30.00

https://www.etsy.com/listing/622209202/wooden-shadow-box-with-small-hangers-and?ref=shop_home_active_1

This week we’re still on our way to Mount Dora…..On 46 in

Sorrento

The First Point of interest is just past JJ Lounge and Dollar General and like those two locations are on the north side of 46.

If you look to your right/north you’ll see

First Baptist Church of Sorrento

http://fbcsorrento.org/index.htm
24125 Sorrento Avenue
Sorrento, FL 32776

The church started in 1912 with 22 people meeting in the one-room school house.  They formed a Sunday School which was also held in the small school and by 1913 the congregation had grown to 51, when a George Battle donated property and the church was built—they continue there till 1956 when purchased a 3 1/4 acre lot at this current site on which first a Fellowship Hall (1961) was built and the auditorium was completed in 1965.   They even had a radio ministry in the 70s and then in the 90s for members unable to attend in person.  Changes and remodeling continued thru the 90s.

Continue on past

El Paso

Mexican Restaurant · Deli · Grocery Store

and

Lisa’s Kountry Cafe

https://www.facebook.com/lisassorrento/menu/

23911 State Road 46
Sorrento, Florida 32776

Mount Dora is a city in central Florida. It’s known for its antique shops and annual festivals. Downtown, the Modernism Museum displays modern furniture. Housed in a 1923 fire station, the Mount Dora History Museum documents local history. An extensive collection of classic cars, plus a replica of a 1940s gas station, are on display at the Museum of Speed. Northwest, bass-filled Lake Eustis has waterside restaurants. Wekipedia

vineyard with an onsite winery featuring their authentic Sorrento wines including  most popular Strawberry Wine, Blueberry wine, and Muscadine wines Carlos, Noble and Southern Belle – Rosé blend.

All  wine selections are available at $12.99 per bottle (plus tax). 

 7 1/4″ Pelican on Piers All in wood

To return to 46 return to 44 and turn right—then right again on Plymouth Sorrento Rd and continue on it until you come to 46 and, turn right heading back west to Mt. Dora.

Mount Dora Today
Mount Dora is now home to more than 13,000. The city retains the flavor of a small town with many historic buildings and its large canopy oak trees, and is known for its variety of antique and specialty shops and numerous special events throughout the year.

 1971 33 1/3 LP Zofo by Led Zeppelin

Come back next week when we’ll tell you all about Mt. Dora—places to see—things to do—-all that good stuff.

An interesting trivia fact: The 1981 film “Honky Tonk Freeway” was filmed in Mount Dora, and many Mount Dora buildings were temporarily painted pink for the film’s set.

Today, Mount Dora is a still-growing city with a flair for the arts, and the city remains a popular tourist destination.

First an apology—haven’t been around much lately—Sorry but I managed to hurt my back and have spent much of the last couple of weeks lying around than I have setting or standing up.  Anyway I’m back—so let the GAMES BEGIN.

The first white settlers in what is now Mount Dora began to arrive in the 1870s but already there were small community nearby.  The oldest and largest of these, Leesburg, 15 miles west of Mount Dora, was first settled in the 1840s on the strip of land between Lakes Griffin and Harris.

                                                        All quotes are from the Mount Dora Book by Laux

Let’s start on 46 out of Sanford to wander Nicely into Mt. Dora as is the way to learn the area, see the sights and find the THINGS TO DO.   Route 46 goes Almost coast to coast—stops at Mims on US 1 just before the Waterway—but that’ s for another week….we’re heading west this time and we’ll start just west of I-4 and continue on.  Here the road is a divided highway which passes shops and restaurant for those who need those kind of thing.  But keep on movin’,  movin west and we’ll see.  Oh and between Orange Blvd and N. Orange Ave the road goes from that two way divided to two lane and none too wide with vary little in the way of shoulder in some areas.  Now the area use to be wooded and rather country—all that has changed and a large highway is going into the area and destroying the wet lands as well as the ambiance of the—sorry it’s a mess and a destruction of the land but that’s what the 21st Century is all about I guess.

The  Lower Wekiva River Preserve State Park 

https://www.floridastateparks.org/park/Lower-Wekiva-River

Stretches north of 46 just after Yankee Lane Road (on your right/north) for more information on the park activities and accesses and how to get there just click on the link above.  Note there’s fishing and hiking along this area and you might want to take a day doing Wekiva first and then wander on to Mt. Dora your next weekend adventure.  Oh and just before the river and at the western bounds of the park you’ll see Wekiva Park Road heading north on your right again.

Now you’ve entered (from the River all the way to 441 you have entered the construction zone.  I travel this on the weekends so no problems, but you might have some delays during the week.

On the right you’ll come to a bit of Florida you don’t see much of anymore that you and the kids might enjoy  it like everything else so far is on the right of the road and in one of the areas of less construction.

Cypress Things

https://www.cypressthings.com/

Who sells an interesting assortment of cypress carved pieces as well a furniture.

A major and crucial improvement for Mount Dora arrived in 1887, when the Sanford and Lake Eustis Railroad came through Mount Dora on its way to Tavares.  Now the world was at it door.

After you pass 429 (at the yellow blinker) on your left and then past A sign on your right denoting a road on your left to

Camp Challenge….

http://www.easterseals.com/florida/our-programs/camping-recreation/camp-challenge-history.html

The Camp is owned by Easter Seals Florida and was Florida’s first barrier-free camping facility.

Welcome to Mount Plymouth

With a few stores and the like but along 46 not a lot to see.  But according to the records it has about 3,000 (0r close) people residing in its unincorporated area.  Once in the good ole days—in the 1920s it was a booming golf course (reportedly patterned on the Famous Scottish St. Andrews Course) winter visitors center.   If you check above you’ll see a picture and details on the hotel that graced the area.  The hotel that had it’s own airport was reported to host the rich and famous like Connie Mack, Babe Ruth and the singer Kate Smith.  Oh and legend has it that the infamous were represented as well in the person of one Al Capone and probably a few associates.   In addition to the hotel there were individual dwellings for the visitor’s alternative places to stay.  Though the boom died down the golf course managed to remain open until 2007.   The Hotel became a private school (Florida Central Academy) in 1959, remaining open until 1983, the building was finally condemned by the county but remained standing (sort of) until it burned down in 1987.

There’s not much to see in the town now…But if you go south/ left on Route 435. and after you pass Exmoor Rd on your left that marks the beginning of the old golf course with it old abandoned fairways and greens.   You can turn left on Prestwick Ave and follow it along the course on your left.  Continue on this road which will eventually turn north, until you get to Saxamaxon Drive and turn left—back west.  This follows the northern edge of the course.  Continue on in to Lockmore Circle (the road goes to the right and straight ahead—stay on the straight ahead past Plymouth Park (have no idea what if anything this has to offer) and turn right on 435.   While you’re making the drive be on the look out for a few of the old golf cottages that were alternative living spaces when the place was a resort– that are still in existence today.

Mount Dora grew slowly until about 1910 when it incorporated as a town, but it did grow, and expanded more rapidly in the following decade, because of its pleasing location—not many Florida towns were on hills overlooking a lake, because the railway reduced  freight costs and simplified access for winter residents who where accommodated in several hotels and boarding houses, and because town promoters and real estate salesmen such as J.P. Donnelly, succeeded in persuading visitors to buy lots or acreage and built homes.

Turn left onto 46 again and head to

Sorrento 

Come back next week when we’ll look at a farm and winery as well as a haunted cemetery in this town  on our way to Mount Dora

In the interwar years Mount Dora expanded as more northerners came south–often by car–to winter in a pleasant climate…The town enjoyed the land boom and survived the subsequent depression w/o thorny difficulties, but it remained a small town.