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Hi Clermont, we made it to Thursday! 

In today’s fun-for-grown-ups edition: Dragon Fest 2026, Celtic Angels Ireland, and The Fancy Flea + plenty of reasons to put on real pants this week.

Today’s sponsor, Spot Pet Insurance, is something I wish I had before a late-night emergency vet visit left me with a $10,000 credit card bill. It’s cheaper than Netflix… and means you never have to choose between your pet and your savings. It takes less than 5 minutes to sign up – get started here.

📰 In the news

Residents navigate prolonged detours: Lake County officials provided an update on the Feb. 2 roadway depression on Empire Church Road in Groveland, outlining a repair plan, and said county will seek quotes from contractors — read the full update.

Building safer habits early: Lake County’s Teen Driver Challenge gives Clermont teens hands-on training, from emergency and threshold braking to basic maintenance, as deputies stress the dangers of speeding and texting to prevent crashes — read the full story.

Locally owned veterinary network: Veterinary Emergency Clinic of Central Florida recently wrapped up its 50th year, providing around the clock emergency care across Lake County and neighboring areas and helping nearly 40,000 pets each year — see how they serve six counties.

Gold & silver are hot: Coming off gold’s best year since 1979, the momentum is carrying well into 2026 with silver remaining one of the most talked-about assets. Curious why they’re back in focus? American Hartford Gold has a free guide that explains what’s happening and how people are approaching it today. It’s free – and definitely worth a read.

Compare rates for free: The national average for car insurance is around $175/month. Paying more than that? Same, so I did some shopping around and ended up cutting my premium in half. If you haven’t checked in a while, you’re probably overpaying too — here’s the comparison tool I used.

Highlights this week:

• Play brain games for mental fitness
• Grab dinner to fund athletes’ gear
• Play bingo, win $100 in scratch-offs
• This top-tier home warranty is 50% off right now
• Save on self-care during the CVS Epic Beauty Sale

🐾 One pet emergency can cost $10,000+

Together with our sponsor Spot Pet Insurance

Nothing prepares you for a late-night emergency at the vet. I learned that the hard way after charging $10k to a credit card for life-saving surgery on my cat, Miss Stache.

From the initial exam fee just to be seen, to x-rays, surgery, medication, and follow-up visits… the bill racks up fast (to say the least). And at that moment? You’re not thinking about your savings, you’re just saying yes to whatever keeps them thriving.

As soon as we got home, I dug around online and ultimately signed up for Spot.

It’s super affordable and reimburses up to 90% on qualified vet bills. It was too late for me, but it’s not too late for you. Sign up today.

🫶 We got your back

Burger night upgrade: The Brave Burger serves handcrafted patties and straightforward, craveable combos, no fuss. Expect flavorful bites that slide into your Clermont routine. When midweek hits, skip the stove and let dinner come easy, courtesy of The Brave Burger tonight.

Smooth-roll alternative: No rink? No problem. West Orange Trail Bikes & Blades gets you cruising Winter Garden’s West Orange Trail and its breezy, tree-tunneled miles. With easy rentals, you and a friend can give your legs and playlist a laid-back lap that leaves you feeling better.

Local history, unlocked: Swap the usual waterfront loop for Clermont Historic Village Museums, where restored homes, a one-room schoolhouse, and WWII artifacts bring hometown stories to life. It’s low-key inspiring, distinctly Clermont, and delivers just the right hit of nostalgia.

Access cash without selling your home: A reverse mortgage can help anyone over 62 cover everyday expenses, support healthcare needs, fund home improvements, or even reduce pressure on 401(k) withdrawals – all while staying in your home. Longbridge offers a free calculator to estimate how much flexibility your home could provide, with no commitment required.

📆 Clermont for grown ups

Have an event to share? BaseLocal Verified Businesses can submit them for free! Learn more about how to submit an event here →

All events are subject to change without notice. Always check official event pages for the most up to date information.

🛍 The Fancy Flea @ Downtown Clermont | Saturday (3/7) at 9:00 AM – Head to downtown Clermont and treasure-hunt like a pro at the Fancy Flea, with vintage finds, antiques, clothing, jewelry, and all the charming junk you want. Admission is free, the people-watching is priceless, and if you’re vending, talk to Lori, not a sketchy DM.

🇮 Groveland Italian Festival @ Groveland’s Downtown Festival Park | Saturday (3/7) at 10:00 AM – Groveland is finally getting its first Italian festival, with real-deal eats, live music, and arts and crafts. Skip the I-4 slog to Orlando, grab a lawn chair, and pretend your last name ends in a vowel; expect sausage, cannoli, and neighbors you actually recognize.

🐉 Dragon Fest 2026 @ Dillard Street Elementary School | Saturday (3/7) at 12:00 PM – Need a guaranteed early bedtime for kids? Dillard Street Elementary’s Dragon Fest packs inflatables, a DJ, games, and snacks, all while supporting the school. Entrance bands are $5 for ages 3+, under 3 free, and $1 tickets cover food, drinks, and face paint.

🍺 Pours @ Oakland Nature Preserve | Saturday (3/7) at 5:30 PM – This twilight hangout at the log cabin blends food, beer, and wine with music and a luminary-lit boardwalk stroll. Swap small talk for owl calls, read neighbors’ notes, leave your own, and yes, everyone leaves with a stemless wine glass. Only 125 spots.

🚜 Farm Tour @ Here On The Farm | Sunday (3/8) at 9:00 AM – Tour a seven-acre wonderland with 15 experimental gardens, a solar-powered farmhouse, and more sustainability tricks than your HOA newsletter. Farmer Banks dishes insights, Dad jokes, and in-season tastings, sometimes with celebrity growers in tow. Bring kids, a hat, and your appetite, obviously.

⛺ Campout @ Lake Louisa | Monday (3/9) at 3:00 PM – Pitch your tent at Lake Louisa, then swing by Loop C, sites in the 50s, for a laid-back campout with Christian Women Who Camp. Mornings bring reading, prayer, and conversation, nights mean potluck and campfires. Reserve your site, drop an “I’m attending,” and exhale.

☘ Celtic Angels Ireland @ Garden Theatre | Thursday (3/12) at 7:00 PM – Celtic Angels Ireland is swooping into the Garden Theatre with soaring harmonies, fiddles, and a bit of high-kick to save you the airfare to Dublin. Plant Street gets its Irish moment, no green beer required, just great seats, good company, and good craic.

Live music & entertainment:

• 3/5 Live Music Thursdays @ Two Bridges Pub & Eatery – 6:00 PM
• 3/5 Karaoke @ Barrels and Boards – 7:00 PM
• 3/6 Winter Garden Art Association 2026 Gala: March of the Muses @ Winter Garden Art Association – 6:30 PM
• 3/7 Groveland Italian Festival @ Groveland’s Downtown Festival Park – 10:00 AM
• 3/7 The Pure Zeppelin Experience @ Lake Catherine Farms – 6:00 PM
• 3/12 Celtic Angels Ireland @ Garden Theatre – 7:00 PM
• 3/12 Switch @ The Station – 8:00 PM

Wanna see more? Browse our full events calendar →

🔥 Worth a peek

We’re always on the hunt for useful resources, deals, services, and products we think you’ll love. Here’s what caught our eye this week.

• Thinning hair? Don’t wait – here are 3 treatments that work
• This free tool helps connect you with the right financial advisor
• Got debt? You may be able to pay less than you owe
• Protect your pet from disaster with this pet insurance plan
• You can own physical gold and silver in your retirement account

📻 Clermont report

Weather forecast

Today – High: 86°F – Low: 67°F – Precip: 45%

A chance of rain showers after 1pm. Mostly sunny. High near 86, with temperatures falling to around 81 in the afternoon. East wind 5 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 50%. New rainfall amounts less than a tenth of an inch possible. Later: A chance of rain showers before 1am. Partly cloudy, with a low around 67. East southeast wind 5 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 50%.

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Tomorrow – High: 86°F – Low: 67°F – Precip: 41%

A chance of rain showers after 1pm. Mostly sunny, with a high near 86. East southeast wind 5 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 40%. Later: A chance of rain showers before 7pm. Partly cloudy, with a low around 67. East southeast wind 5 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 40%.

Someone Googled you this week 👀

It may feel like an invasion of privacy, but unfortunately It’s the new normal. Whether you’re joining a committee, selling something locally, dating again, or just meeting new neighbors… people are going to look you up online.

Like it or not, the internet has a way of surfacing past mistakes and outdated information that no longer reflects who you are.

Thankfully, there’s a really easy way for you – or someone you care about – to clean up outdated results that no longer tell the real story. Learn more here.

This house is wild

On a premium ridge lot in Highland Ranch, this 4-bed, 3.5-bath single-story captures sweeping pond views. A 3-way split plan centers on a tray-ceiling great room and chef’s kitchen with GE Café appliances, apron and veggie sinks, and a custom pantry. The primary suite is spa-caliber. Highlights include a screened lanai, EV outlet, foam block construction, and resort-style amenities.

Take a peek inside →